Five World Cup victories, two more podium places – ski jumper Stefan Kraft has been the benchmark so far this season. Before the Four Hills Tournament, the only thing that worries me is my back.
Stefan Kraft knows how to win. Since this season at the latest, there is no longer any doubt about that. The 30-year-old Austrian is the outstanding protagonist of the World Cup winter so far. The best jumpers in the world have already competed against each other eight times this season. The winner was Stefan Kraft five times. Kraft landed on the podium two more times, and once he had to settle for ninth place.
Karl Geiger describes Kraft as a “top favorite”
He leads the overall World Cup with a lead of more than 200 points over the German trio Andreas Wellinger, Pius Paschke and Karl Geiger. The role of favorite for the upcoming Four Hills Tournament (December 28, 2023 to January 6, 2024) is clearly assigned. “The top favorite is definitely Stefan Kraft”said Geiger recently. And ARD expert Sven Hannawald also praises the Austrian: “He’s always had his own jumping style, but he’s become so effective. Being in the World Cup gives him extra security.”says Hannawald in the big “Sportschau” interview about the tour.
Kraft is jumping to the front more consistently than anyone else this season. And as we all know, that is the most important criterion for a tour victory, because just one slip-up can end all title dreams. But the Austrian only rarely affords this. He is considered one of the most consistent ski jumpers of all time.
The back as Achilles heel
Only compatriot Gregor Schlierenzauer (53), the Finn Matti Nykänen (46), the Poles Adam Malysz and Kamil Stoch (39 each) and Janne Ahonen (36) have more World Cup victories than Kraft. Of the eleven World Cup seasons in which he competed, he only finished outside the top ten in the overall standings: his debut season and 2021, when he suffered from Covid and his back problems.
The Austrian has been suffering from back pain for several seasons now. “Ski jumping isn’t that good for your back. But it’s just stupid because it’s my job”said Kraft in Engelberg after his 35th World Cup success. The 30-year-old said that after a good preparation for the season he felt like a 20-year-old, but now he often feels like a 40-year-old. And so it is more important than ever for Kraft not to overload himself.
There are eleven days between Engelberg and the start of the Four Hills Tournament. The time out, says Kraft, “We will plan and use it perfectly.” Then Kraft would like to write the next chapter in his successful career, which began with a triumph at the Four Hills Tournament in 2014/15. Kraft celebrated his first ever World Cup victory in Oberstdorf, set the hill record in Innsbruck and secured overall victory with third place in Bischofshofen. Kraft wasn’t outstanding back then, but he was the most consistent jumper.
The hunt for the second triumph at the Four Hills Tournament
Since then, the Austrian has won the overall World Cup twice, became world champion three times and secured Olympic gold as part of the team. However, he was unable to achieve a second tour victory. This was also because Kraft usually started the season a bit slowly and only reached his best form later on. This is completely different this year.
And so Kraft’s biggest concern before the Four Hills Tournament is his back pain. “Of course this has to go away as quickly as possible so that I can clear my head for ski jumping.”said Kraft. Nevertheless, he is currently “greathappy“. “We are really excited about the Four Hills Tournament”, Kraft announced. Given the form he is currently in, he has every reason to be.