Althaus speechless after first major championship gold

Katharina Althaus broke her silver medal streak to take a first individual gold at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica, Slovenia.The German was runner up in the same event, normal hill, at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, either side of world silver at Tyrol 2019.And going into the final, Anna Odine Stroem led Althaus by 0.2 points but a fine jump of 97m put the pressure on the Norwegian.With a strong tailwind, Stroem could only manage 114.8 points to take bronze, sparking tears from Althaus and her coach.Althaus said: «I'm speechless. It's so great.

I'm really happy and grateful for this medal. I don't have words.»I thought from jump to jump it was getting better and better.

I concentrated on the things I can really do. The second jump was really, really good and I'm so happy."World Cup leader Eva Pinkelnig was also jubilant after Stroem's slip up confirmed she would move one step up the podium to silver.And for Stroem it was a fourth third-place finish at a World Championships, but her first individual medal at a major championships.The Nordic World Ski Championships continues tomorrow with the men's normal hill qualification round starting at 5:45pm local time.Sportsbeat 2023 Ad World Championships'I'm speechless!' — Althaus lost for words after finally winning gold at the world championshipsAN HOUR AGO World Championships'Finally!' — Watch the moment Althaus wins her long-awaited world championships goldAN HOUR AGO World Championships'This is so exciting!' — Althaus takes gold in opening event of world championshipsAN HOUR AGO