Austrian skier wins 2nd World Cup ski flying event in Slovenia

BELGRADE, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Austria's Gregor Schlierenzauer on Sunday won the season's final World Cup ski-flying event on the giant hill in the Slovenian northwest ski resort of Planica, securing his second title after winning the same event on Friday.

Schlierenzauer won with 442.1 points from jumps of 217 and 231 meters, being the longest in both rounds, the Slovenian news agency STA reported.

Schlierenzauer's teammate Martin Koch, who jumped 216.5 and 229.5 meters, had a total of 435.2 points, while Finland's Janne Happonen was third with 418.8 points from 203.5 and 220.5 meters.

The 18-year-old was in high spirits after two consecutive wins at individual events and after flying to an Austrian record of 233.5 meters on Friday.

"Planica is now my favorite hill in the world. It is something special and a really remarkable flying hill," Schlierenzauer said.

"I adore flying and the entire season was excellent for me, despite minor problems around New Year's," the Austrian teen sensation said.

Slovenia's Robert Kranjec (210.5/214.5; 418.5) just missed out on a podium position, finishing a mere 0.3 of a point behind Happonen.

Austria's Thomas Morgenstern won the overall World Cup with 1,794 points, while Schlierenzauer had 1,561 points. Finland's Janne Ahonen was third on 1,291 points.

The World Cup season was wrapped up on Sunday with a second individual event in Planica, Schlierenzauer winning the first on Friday. Norway won Saturday's ski flying team event with 1,715.1 points.