Four-time Olympic ski jumping champion Simon Ammann from Switzerland is absent from the Four Hills Tournament for the first time in 22 years. Instead, the 41-year-old will start this week in the Continental Cup competitions in Engelberg.
Ammann had made his season debut at the World Cup in Engelberg a week and a half before the start of the tour, but had already failed to qualify at the competition in his native Switzerland. Ammann remains silent about a possible end to his career.
Ammann has never won the Four Hills Tournament, in which he made his debut in 1997 and has only missed out in 2000/01, in 24 appearances (two second places). It’s the only major title he’s missing.
Switzerland is only represented by Gregor Deschwanden on the tour, which starts on Wednesday with the qualification in Oberstdorf. Killian Peier, third at the 2019 World Championships, is also gaining competition practice in Engelberg.