For a joyful reason
Ski jumping star interrupts World Cup season
Updated 11/28/2025 – 2:13 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Four out of 30 competitions have only been completed in the men’s World Cup. But Stefan Kraft is already taking a break. There is a special occasion behind this.
Stefan Kraft got off to an excellent start in the new World Cup season. Last Tuesday he celebrated his first win of the season on the normal hill in Falun, Sweden. After four competitions he is in second place in the overall World Cup.
But now the 32-year-old Austrian will be missing from the upcoming World Cup events. Kraft has decided to take a temporary break – for family reasons. He and his wife Marisa are expecting their first child together at the beginning of December.
“I really want to be there at the birth,” said Kraft, emphasizing: “Everything is quiet at home.” He left it open how long he would be out. “It’s hard to plan a baby. Skipping five weeks is not a good idea. But one or two weeks will definitely work out,” says Kraft, who is looking forward to the birth: “The anticipation is of course huge. Everyone says it’s the greatest gift. I’m really looking forward to it.”
At the upcoming competitions in Ruka/Finland, Jonas Schuster will step in for the ÖSV in Kraft’s place. According to Kraft, a start in Wisla/Poland on December 6th and 7th is “possible”, but he considers the following weekend in Klingenthal (December 13th and 14th) to be “more likely”.
The International Ski Federation FIS sent greetings to the athlete on social media: “Stefan, we wish you all good luck and health.”
In terms of sport, Kraft drew level with Matti Nykänen in Falun with his 46th victory in the World Cup. Only Gregor Schlierenzauer – also an Austrian – has had more success.
“I would never have dreamed of that as a little boy,” said Kraft on ORF about the tie with Nykänen. At the same time, with 15,811 points since his debut in 2012, he has surpassed Janne Ahonen’s previous record (15,758).
Kraft announced that he wanted to continue to get involved despite his age. “You can still win – you have the killer in you,” he said, referring to the younger competition in the ÖSV team.
In his long career, Kraft has already won almost everything. The only thing missing is an individual medal at the Olympic Games. The next Winter Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026 – then he wants to attack again as a new father.