Joséphine Pagnier Struggles in Villach, Loses World Cup Lead

The start of 2024 has posed significant challenges for Joséphine Pagnier. Following a twelfth-place finish in Oberstdorf, Germany, Pagnier struggled to find her footing in Austria, ultimately placing fourteenth in the recent competition. This marks her lowest finish of the season.

At just 21 years old, Pagnier did not make any major errors during her jumps of 88.5 and 87 meters; however, she contended with steady wind conditions that hampered her performance. Although she has previously triumphed in Lillehammer, Norway, and Engelberg, Switzerland, she was unable to capture that same magic here.

Losing the Yellow Bib

The impact of these unsatisfactory results has been significant, as Pagnier has relinquished her position as the leader of the World Cup to Slovenian Nika Prevc, who triumphed in Wednesday’s event. Prevc, who was previously behind Pagnier, clinched the victory with an impressive first jump of 96.5 meters, just shy of the hill record. Local favorite Eva Pinkelnig took second place, while Canadian Abigail Strate rounded out the podium in third.

All competitors will reconvene in Villach on Thursday at 12:30 PM for the next event.