Nineteen years after Janne Ahonen and Jakub Janda’s shared victory, the Four Hills Tournament is poised for another thrilling finale. Stefan Kraft leads a tight race against Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig, separated by just 72 centimeters. With Kraft’s childhood dream realized after winning in Innsbruck, the competition intensifies as they prepare for the final jump. Coach Andreas Widhölzl’s supportive approach has revitalized Austrian ski jumping, echoing past successes and heightening excitement for this year’s tournament.
Historical Ties at the Four Hills Tournament: A Dramatic Showdown
Austrian Ski Jumpers Captivate Fans Once Again
Nineteen years ago, the Four Hills Tournament witnessed a remarkable moment when Janne Ahonen and Jakub Janda shared the title, marking the only time in history that two athletes were crowned champions simultaneously. Fast forward to today, and we might be on the brink of witnessing a similar event as Stefan Kraft, Jan Hörl, and Daniel Tschofenig find themselves in an exhilarating battle, nearly neck-and-neck after three jumps.
In Austria, ski jumpers who capture the nation’s affection are often greeted with endearing nicknames. Previously, fans adored ‘Goldi’, ‘Schlieri’, ‘Kofi’, and ‘Morgi’. Now, the spotlight shines on ‘Krafti’, ‘Hörli’, and ‘Tschofi’, as they prepare for a heart-stopping finale at the 73rd Four Hills Tournament. The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this year’s event are palpable, surpassing the levels of recent years.
Stefan Kraft’s Dream and the Tight Race Ahead
After clinching victory at Bergisel in Innsbruck on Saturday, Stefan Kraft expressed his joy, stating, “It is so wonderful, a childhood dream.” His triumph propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, just ahead of Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig—who are separated by mere centimeters before the decisive jump in Bischofshofen this Monday at 4:30 PM (ZDF and Eurosport).
Could history be about to repeat itself? The anticipation is high for a thrilling finale, reminiscent of the shared victory from 19 years ago. In this year’s tournament, Kraft, Hörl, and Tschofenig are only 72 centimeters apart following six jumps, all exceeding 800 meters. A mere 1.8 points translates to one meter on the large hill, which means 0.1 points equal 5.55 centimeters.
Kraft currently leads with 887.1 points, having secured two victories out of three events. Although Hörl remains winless, he holds 886.5 points and stands as Kraft’s closest rival. Meanwhile, Garmisch champion Tschofenig enters the final wearing the yellow jersey as the overall World Cup leader with 885.8 points. When converted, Kraft is 33 centimeters ahead of Hörl and 39 centimeters ahead of Tschofenig. The fourth jump in Pongau could hinge on wind factors or style points, making every moment crucial. The other contenders, Gregor Deschwanden (Switzerland), Johann Andre Forfang (Norway), and Pius Paschke (Germany), are unlikely to disrupt the battle for the coveted golden eagle.
Statistically, Kraft holds a significant advantage, as history suggests that the leader after three jumps has an exceptionally high chance of finishing at the top. Since the 1999/00 tournament, 24 out of 25 athletes leading after the third jump have clinched overall victory, including Kraft in 2014/15. The only exception during this timeframe was Norwegian Daniel Andre Tande in 2016/17, who lost his lead and finished third, with a slim margin of just 1.7 points—nearly one meter—similar to Kraft’s current lead.
The current Austrian prowess in ski jumping echoes the dominance exhibited in 2012, when Gregor Schlierenzauer, Thomas Morgenstern, and Andreas Kofler achieved a notable tournament sweep. At the helm of Austria’s resurgence is coach Andreas Widhölzl, the 2000 tournament winner, who is effectively harnessing the nation’s ski jumping talent. His approach emphasizes understanding and communication, creating a supportive environment for the athletes. ‘My job is to keep them together, to be sensitive, to listen,’ Widhölzl remarked, and it’s clear that his methods are yielding remarkable results.