The Austrian ski jumpers dominate the Four Hills Tournament. Fans and competitors are wondering what the secret is in the fight for tour victory.
“Fits anyway, right?“, says Daniel Tschofenig and grins. The 22-year-old couldn’t have summarized the current situation of the Austrian ski jumpers much better. “And now we’re home”adds teammate Jan Hörl. It fits in the team of coach Andreas Widhölzl, who once won the Four Hills Tournament himself. After two of four competitions, Tschofenig leads the overall standings, followed by Hörl and teammate Stefan Kraft.
The Austrians took five out of six possible podium places and celebrated victories in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. “We are doing a lot right now“, summarizes Widhölzl. A lot – or just everything?
Enjoy the home game
The dominance of the Austrians at the 73rd Four Hills Tournament is almost overwhelming. “The start of the season was great, the dress rehearsal in Engelberg was great, the first few stops were great“, says Jan Hörl, who won the Bergisel last year: “So we have good self-confidence, a good feeling. We can actually enjoy it.”
And that’s exactly what the Austrians are doing at their home game at Bergisel. During the qualification on Friday, Hörl jumps at the limit, lets himself be carried by the wind and emotions and seems to enjoy the madness in the cauldron – and takes the victory.
Hörl cheers as soon as he lands in a deep crouch. Almost 8,000 fans with red-white-red flags painted on their faces or in textiles in their hands celebrate him and his teammates. On Saturday there will be more than twice as many fans – the stadium is sold out. “Things will really get going in the cauldron“, believes Hörl and has a plan that almost sounds a bit simple: “Just enjoy, soak up the atmosphere and have a good time skiing.“
Discussion of competition
It is precisely that simple recipe for success that is currently causing astonishment. While the Norwegian competition believes that the Austrians’ secret lies in special suits, the German jumpers don’t even want to get involved in a discussion. “With Krafti we know that he can ski jump very well and the two boys also do really cool things”Pius Paschke classifies it: “You just have to leave it like that.”
The fact that the breadth at the top of the Austrian team is such an issue among the competition these days doesn’t cause anger among Kraft and co. They almost feel flattered. “The best are always looked at”says the 31-year-old: “It’s an honor and we enjoy it.”
The tingling sensation in the kettle
Kraft is also still fighting for the tour victory. He knows the situation, but – he believes – that doesn’t necessarily make it better. “When you stand in front of 30,000 people, are in top shape and know that you can win the tour – you can’t train for that“, says Kraft: “That’s a lot of pressure. I could have been there eleven times. It still tingles like the first time.”
And the tingling sensation doesn’t get any less before the two competitions in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen. While the air shimmers around the experienced athletes like Kraft, Tschofenig and Hörl radiate a lot of lightness. “We have the home advantage. We have the privilege of having three in front”says Hörl. “Don’t put any pressure“, is the best plan, says Tschofenig: “That sounds so simple, almost stupid.”
Tour victory with team spirit?
Maybe that’s exactly what makes the Austrian team so strong at the moment – that the top athletes play to their individual strengths, athletically and away from the hill. “I believe that we work very well as a team and stick together”says Coach Widhölzl: “This is the work of the last five years. We are a team that has evolved, that communicates honestly and openly with each other.” This is currently paying off, because the competitors for the tour victory are also a team. “The insults are running and we are serious again at the right time”says Kraft. And the insult might also come with an Austrian tour victory.