There was so little going into the final round following Timi Zajc’s superb jump, which gave Slovenia an agonising 2.5 point advantage over the Austrians.
Slovenia, Austria, and Norway went into the business end of the competition as the frontrunners, while Germany and Poland were also more than worthy challengers.
Japan’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Kobayashi Ryoyu, who kept them in the mix with a 136.5m jump on his final attempt. Lindvik capped off his evening with a mammoth effort of 138.5m, the record figure of these world championships.
It was Hoerl who had the crown in his sights and edged Austria ahead by 2.1 points, but Lanisek’s effort, the second best of the final round in 138m, ensured that Slovenia defended the title won at their home World Championships in 2023.
On Friday (7 March), the male ski jumpers will compete in qualification for the individual large hill, before the final competition on Saturday (8 March).