Stefan Kraft leads Austrian podium sweep of Oberstdorf Four Hills Tournament opener
Kraft claimed his first Ski Jumping World Cup win of the season ahead of Jan Hoerl and Daniel Tschofenig with home hero Pius Paschke fourth.
Ski Jumping
Ski jumping World Cup crystal globe holder Stefan Kraft spearheaded an Austrian podium sweep of the 2024/25 Four Hills Tournament opener in Oberstdorf on Sunday (29 December).
Kraft consolidated his lead from the first round by sticking his landing in the second, despite difficult wind conditions, to claim his first World Cup victory of the season with a total score of 335.1 points.
The 31-year-old former world champion made the perfect start to his bid to regain the Four Hills Golden Eagle trophy a decade after he won it the first time.
Kraft landed jumps of 138m and 135.5m to edge out Jan Hoerl (331.6) with Daniel Tschofenig (323.6) making it an all-Austrian podium. Germany's World Cup leader Pius Paschke was fourth in front of his home fans with Johann Andre Forfang of Norway in fifth.
Tschofenig briefly took pole position courtesy of a second-round monster jump of 140.5m, only to see Hoerl move ahead.
But the day belonged to Kraft, who held his composure to claim an impressive 44th individual World Cup win. Kraft looked confident in his effort, making a flying gesture with his hand at the bottom of the hill.
Reigning Four Hills champion Kobayashi Ryoyu was unable to reverse his disappointing start to the season as he finished in 18th, one spot behind fellow Japanese Nakamura Naoki.
The next round of the Four Hills tournament will be held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on 1 January 2025.
The Four Hills Tournament Trophy
Four Hills Tournament 2024/25: Results from Oberstdorf HS137 event on Sunday 29 December (top 10):
1. Stefan Kraft (AUT) 335.1 points
2. Jan Hoerl (AUT) 331.6 (-3.5)
3. Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) 323.6 (-11.5)
4. Pius Paschke (GER) 321.3 (-13.8)
5. Johann Andre Forfang (NOR) 318.9 (-16.2)
6. Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) 318.6 (-16.5)
7. Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (NOR) 302.9 (-32.2)
8= Karl Geiger (GER), Michael Hayboeck (AUT) 300.0 (-35.1)
10. Pawel Wasek (POL) 297.8 (-37.3)