The 34-year-old finished fourth on Friday behind Japanese Yuki Ito, Anna Odine Ström (NOR) and her long-time rival Katharina Althaus. After losing the half-time lead, the German was 1.5 points ahead of Pinkelnig, who is getting a new ÖSV head coach because Harald Rodlauer is quitting.
Overall, Pinkelnig was clearly the best with six wins, second and third places each. She was the third Austrian to receive the crystal ball after Daniela Iraschko-Stolz (2014/15) and Sara Marita Kramer last year. “I’m really happy. In the summer I was so far away, podium places were a mission impossible. Now there are 18, I’ve won six times, that’s completely crazy,” said Pinkelnig after particularly loud cheers in the finish area.
The vice world champion on the normal hill, together with Chiara Kreuzer (2 wins of the season/4 podium places), Kramer (0/2), Julia Mühlbacher (0/1) and Co. 250 points ahead of Germany in Lahti, also achieved the prestigious victory in the nation ranking. “It’s even nicer when we can cheer together. It’s great that we can receive two balls,” said Pinkelnig, stating that in the end he no longer took the full residual risk.
ÖSV head coach Rodlauer drew a highly satisfied conclusion. “With winning the Nations Cup, the ball in the individual and the results of the World Cup, it was of course great,” said the 56-year-old from Styria in an ORF interview and announced his retirement. “I will quit my coaching job and go other ways. Retiring at the peak is a good decision. I’m looking forward to new tasks”. Rodlauer had been in charge of the team since May 2018 and had previously worked successfully as the women’s head coach for Daniela Iraschko-Stolz’s team from 2011 to 2014.
