Stefan Kraft won the dress rehearsal for the Four Hills Tournament, which begins on December 29th in Oberstdorf. The Austrian won the last competition before Christmas in Engelberg, Switzerland, on Sunday (December 17, 2023). Kraft won ahead of his compatriot Jan Hörl and Pius Paschke.
This means that Kraft has a good chance of winning the tour. In the last 21 years, the jumper who won the dress rehearsal in Engelberg has been at the top of the tour eight times. “My last jump was a grenade, I was waiting for that again”said Kraft on ZDF.
Germans strong again
Kraft isn’t the only one looking forward to the climax. The DSV Eagles also delivered brilliantly again. In addition to Paschke, Karl Geiger (4th) and Andreas Wellinger (5th) jumped at the front. “Yesterday we had a bit of problems, so Pius’ win was fantastic. Overall, I’m very happy with the weekend. Great respect for what the boys did today.”said national coach Stefan Horngacher.
The ski jumping thriller was already apparent in the first round. Seven jumpers were within seven points of each other. Behind the leader Hörl, Geiger (139.5 meters), Paschke (141 m) and Wellinger (136 m) were lurking in second to fourth place. Kraft (Austria), Gregor Deschwanden (Switzerland) and Marius Lindvik (Norway) also had hopes of victory.
Kraft jumps from fifth place to victory
The finale was a thrilling showdown. Lindvik lost ground by 134 meters and fell behind. Deschwanden then delivered in front of his home fans: 137 meters meant the place in the sun – but only for a short time. Despite the shortened run-up, Kraft conjured up a jump of 142 meters and took the lead.
The Germans cut their teeth on this vastness. As on Saturday, Wellinger fell behind after 134 meters. Paschke couldn’t counter Kraft either, but he came up strong with 140 meters and moved into second place.
With 137 meters, Geiger couldn’t get past Kraft and Paschke either. For a place on the podium, the half-time leader Hörl would have had to make a mistake. The Austrian did not do the German this favor. Hörl came second with 139 meters, Geiger was still bowled off the podium, but was happy about a successful dress rehearsal after weaker jumps on Saturday.
Karl Geiger finished the last competition before the Four Hills Tournament in fourth place.
Raimund after disqualification in the midfield
Philipp Raimund had no chance in the fight for the winner’s podium. One day after his suit mishap and disqualification, the SC Oberstdorf jumper appeared to have recovered well. With 134 and 133.5 meters, Raimund delivered good competition and jumped into the top 15 in twelfth place.
Leyhe is the feeling of flying lost
Stephan Leyhe also struggled with the ski jump in Engelberg on Sunday, landing at exactly 128.5 meters in both attempts. This distance was not enough for a top placement, which he achieved at the beginning of the season. The man from Willingen sagged just before the season’s high point and had to settle for 26th place. But that doesn’t make Leyhe nervous. “The weekend was forgettable, but I’m used to that from the past. The hill doesn’t suit me, so I’m not worried about the tour.”
Hamann misses the final
For Martin Hamann the ups and downs in Engelberg continued. After a strong qualifying jump, nothing worked in the competition: with 126 meters, the Saxon’s working day was over after the first round.
Norwegians and Slovenians are getting going
The jumpers are now heading back home. After a short Christmas break, the prestigious Four Hills Tournament begins on December 28th. 21 years after Sven Hannawald’s victory, the German chances of winning are better than ever. Given the top performances of the DSV Adler, anticipation is great and the opening competition in Oberstdorf is already sold out.
After the Germans and Austrians had triumphed at the first World Cup stages, the Norwegians and Slovenes also reported back in the last competition before the tour. Above all, Marius Lindvik (8th place) should be on the list.