Olympic champion Stefan Kraft reclaimed the lead in the race for the ‘Golden Eagle’ trophy after delivering an astounding performance in the third stage of the 2024/25 Four Hills Tournament, in Innsbruck (AUT).
The 31-year-old, who won the first event in Oberstdorf (GER), had slipped to third in the standings after placing eighth in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER).
That race had been won by team-mate and rival Daniel Tschofenig, who ultimately finished third in Innsbruck, just ahead of fellow Austrian Jan Hoerl.
They now hold the respective first, second and third positions in the overall Four Hills Tournament rankings, with just 1.3 points separating them ahead of the finale in Bischofshofen (AUT) 5-6 January.
“I trained my whole life for this,” said Kraft after his first-ever victory in Innsbruck. “It’s a childhood dream to win in this special atmosphere and special place, with 22,000 fans.
“The second jump was so aggressive and one of my best ones (of his career) which makes me so happy. I had to do this in order to be strong and I neede to take the risk to beat them (Hoerl and Tschofenig), so I’m really proud.”
10 years has passed since an Austrian last won the Four Hills title, with Kraft achieving that honour back in the 2014/15 season.
With Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) some 22.5 points off Tschofenig in third, there is a strong likelihood the ‘Golden Eagle’ will be back in Austrian hands next week.
61 athletes took to the hill in qualifying on Friday, with the top 50 reaching the first round, which – as with each of the Four Hill contests – would see the ski jumpers face off in a series of duels.
The winners would progress, with five places in the second round also reserved for ‘lucky losers’ who attained a score ranking in the top of those who did not qualify automatically for the final round.
Kevin Bickner (USA) has impressed at times during the season so far, but just he was 32nd in qualifying and after being drawn against Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze medalist Karl Geiger (GER) his chances of progressing automatically looked challenging at best.
However, the American performed well and his score of 116.6, combined with a far from perfect jump by Geiger (110.1), saw Bickner take something of a surprise victory.
Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR) was another high-ranking ski jumper to suffer an early elimination, as was 11th highest qualifier Killian Peier (SUI).
He was knocked out by Dawid Kubacki (POL), who had ranked 40th in qualifying.
Joining the two-time Olmypic bronze medalistin round two, were Slovenian trio Anze Lanisek, Domen Prevc, and Timi Zajc; the latter of whom was the first to pass the 130m mark.
Pius Paschke (GER), who has won five World Cup stages so far this season, delivered a competitive 128.5m to put him seventh heading into the final round.
Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) has been demonstrating some of the best form of his career this season, but he would suffer a rare blip and place 10th at the halfway stage.
Johann Andre Forfang (NOR) has threatened to upset the Austrian dominance during recent World Cups and 130.5m, scoring 130.9, put him in contention again.
The top-three positions though, as is becoming something of a tradition this season, were held by Austrians, who thrilled the capacity crowd with a series of stunning jumps.
Daniel Tschofenig (134.6 points), Stefan Kraft (135.0) and leader Jan Hoerl (135.5) were separated by just 0.9pts ahead of the final round.
Michael Hayboeck (AUT) had welcomed in the new year, by claiming just the second podium finish of his World Cup campaign, with third in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER).
It quickly became evident he would not be repeating that accomplishment in Innsbruck, but 131m in the second round helped him climb from 20th to 12th.
Making the greatest progress between the first and second rounds though was another Austrian, 2022 World junior bronze medallist Markus Mueller, who rose 10 places and finished 11th.
Deschwanden, who had entered the third leg of the 2024/25 Four Hills contest fourth in the standings, was expected to need a jump far in excess of 130m in order to retain any realistic hopes of challenging for an overall victory.
129m was an improvement, on 126m in round one, but with conditions worsening it enabled the Swiss to climb six places into fourth.
Certainly out of contention was Paschke, who had entered the Four Hills as the World Cup leader and aiming to become the first German to claim the ‘Golden Eagle’ since Sven Hannawald in 2022.
123.7 points in round two saw him slip down the standings and lose further ground in the race for the 2024/25 Crystal Globe.
As the current yellow jersey holder Tschofenig may well be a contender for that crown later in the season, but for now his sights are firmly set on Four Hills success.
128.7 points saw him confirm a top-three place, with Kraft and Hoerl to follow.
Kraft won the 2023/24 Crystal Globe, but only recorded his first World Cup victory this season during the opening Four Hills contest in Oberstdorf.
His jump of 132.5m enabled the three-time World champion to take a 10-point lead with fellow Olympic team gold medal-winner Hoerl the only athlete who could deny Kraft a further win.
Hoerl reached 131.5m and lower style marks ensured it would be Kraft who took the win and a lead over his Austrian colleagues heading into the final leg of the competition.
The field will now take the 180km journey east to Bischofshofen for the final event of the 2024/25 Four Hills Tournament, with qualifying taking place on Sunday, before the finale on Monday.
Bischofshofen (AUT) – HS142
05.01.2025 – 16:30 – Start Qualification – QUA Men’s LH
06.01.2025 – 16:30 – Competition start – WC Men’s LH
*All times are in CET (Central European Time) and are subject to change.
