Okabe becomes oldest winner of World Cup ski-jumping event

Takanobu OkabeKuopio, Finland  - Takanobu Okabe became the oldest winner of a ski-jumping World Cup event in history Tuesday when the 38-year-old won an event on the large hill in Kuopio.

Just 24 hours after Finland's Janne Ahonen announced that he was returning to the sport after less than a year in retirement, the Japanese jumper celebrated the fifth World Cup victory of his career with jumps of 123.5 metres and 123m for a total of 241.7 points.

Switzerland's Simon Ammann came second on 240.4 points after jumps of 119.5m and 126m with Adam Malysz of Poland claiming third on 239.3 after jumps of 119m and 127m.

Okabe last enjoyed victory 11 years ago in a ski-flying event in Vikersund.

World Cup leader Gregor Schlierenzauer finished down in 10th place but continues to head the standings with 1,778 points after 23 of 27 events. Ammann lies second on 1,578 followed by Austria's Wolfgang Loitzl on 1,300 points. dpa

Regions: