Daniel Tschofenig: Five things to know about ski jumping's rising star, winner of the 2024/25 Four Hills Tournament
The 22-year-old has made history as the first ski jumper born in the 21st century to win the prestigious Four Hills Tournament. From his Olympic ski jumper girlfriend to his newfound passion for golf, here’s an inside look at the Austrian athlete’s journey.
Ski Jumping
The iconic Four Hills Tournament concluded with one of the most thrilling finales to date. In an exceptionally close competition, just 1.3 points separated the top three athletes heading into the final in Bischofshofen.
No one could have predicted a winner with certainty. Compatriots Stefan Kraft and Daniel Tschofenig were head-to-head throughout, alternating the top podium spot in the first three stops in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, and Innsbruck, Austria, respectively.
The Golden Eagle trophy, therefore, hung in the balance on home snow in the final with both competitors fighting fiercely for top honours.
Halfway through the final, Kraft had the edge, but Tschofenig stunned everyone, including himself, when he leapt from fifth to first place with a 140.5-metre jump in the second round. Kraft was unable to catch him after taking his closing jump, so Tschofenig remained in first place, securing the coveted title.
Here’s everything you need to know about the young athlete who’s become a standout in the ski jumping world.
1. Tschofenig, the first-ever Four Hills winner born in the 21st century
Born in 2002, Daniel Tschofenig is leading the way for the next generation. His Four Hills victory symbolises a shift – a new era in ski jumping.
Not only does the Austrian athlete have his entire career ahead of him, but his win proves that he can compete at the highest level alongside seasoned athletes such as Beijing 2022 Olympic champion Kraft.
“That I'm now the first winner born in the 21st century obviously feels great, and I'm pretty happy about that,” he told Olympics.com.
2. His girlfriend is a ski jumper and Olympic medallist
Tschofenig's support system rallied throughout the nine-day tournament, which included his girlfriend, ski jumping world champion Alexandria Loutitt, who cheered him on to victory.
The Canadian, a Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze medallist, rushed 141 kilometres from her World Cup event in Villach, Austria to celebrate with the newly crowned champion.
For Tschofenig, being in a relationship with a fellow ski jumper provides essential support and mutual understanding. “Ski jumping is a lot about mental stuff. You can actually see how the other one feels, you have been there,” he told Olympics.com.
While they’ve faced some of the biggest competitions of their careers this season, ski jumping isn’t at the front and centre of their relationship. “To be honest, we don't talk that much about ski jumping,” he told us.
3. Taking up golf while recovering from injury
Golf and ski jumping may seem like opposites – one requires calm focus, the other thrives off adrenaline but that could be exactly why the Austrian athlete turned to golf while recovering from an adductor muscle injury suffered during training in mid-2024.
“I started playing golf last year, so I’m a big fan at the moment. That’s what I did the whole summer while I was injured,” he confirmed.
4. Bischofshofen is his 'kryptonite**’**
Tschofenig has competed at Bischofshofen many times, with the 142-metre hill historically a complicated venue for him, but it’s a challenge the young Austrian was happy to take on in his quest for top honours.
“This hill is my kryptonite," Tschofenig told Olympics.com before the final on the slope with an inrun angle of 27 degrees, the flattest in the competition. "I always come here, always have a hard time, but I think I now figured out what I have to do. To win on home soil would be stunning and amazing.”
This time, it worked out perfectly for Tschofenig.
5. Ski jumping thanks to an Olympic medallist
This victory might not have been possible without a former Four Hills Champion.
Tschofenig made his first jumps, aged seven, at the Goldi Talent Cup founded by Andreas Goldberger, a two-time bronze medallist in Lillehammer 1994.
Milano-Cortina 2026, the big focus for Daniel Tschofenig
The Carinthian ski jumper has high hopes for competing at Milano Cortina 2026.
“I was born really close to Italy. To be there at the Olympics next year would feel amazing. I’ve been to the hill and I’m really looking forward to it,” he told Olympics.com.
Having just won in his home country, could his proximity to Italy provide the same momentum if he reaches the Olympics? Watch this space!