Kraft’s hunger is not satisfied: “It is addictive”

28 years after Waldzell’s favorite of the masses, Andreas Goldberger, was crowned ski flying world champion at the Kulm in 1996, Stefan Kraft followed in the former high-flyer’s footsteps and repeated this feat. Wind and weather put 18,500 fans to the test of patience; with hangs, choking and delays, the ultimately decisive third round was able to take place.

The wait was worth it, at least from the red-white-red point of view, bronze Timi Zajc (Slo) saw it differently: “It wasn’t fair”said the leader after the first day. It took a lot of strength and a shrug of the shoulders, the 30-year-old from Salzburg did his job and felt unprecedented feelings of happiness: “This is definitely my best victory, a dream. Unbelievable, there were so many people there, you really want to fly down there. It was so emotional”emphasized Kraft, who, after the gold, also received silver.

A total of 37,550 spectators

In the team competition, the red-white-red team, which also included Theninger’s Michael Hayböck (UVB Hinzenbach), Jan Hörl and Manuel Fettner, came in second place, 26.5 points behind the outstanding Slovenians. Bronze went to the German team. “The results are great, we had a great World Cup”said Ski Austria head coach Andreas Widhölzl.

The organizers, who had expected 45,000 visitors for this long weekend, were also somewhat satisfied. Ultimately, a total of 37,550 came. That’s okay.

Now Kraft, who traveled to Bad Mitterndorf due to poor health, can take a short, well-deserved break. Of course, the dominator’s hunger has not been satisfied, even though the Pongauer has won almost everything there is to win: ski flying individual gold, individual world championship titles on the normal and large hill, team Olympic victory, Four Hills Tournament, overall World Cup , 37 World Cup successes. “When you can enjoy moments like that, it’s addictive. You want to experience that again and again”, emphasized Kraft, who will be seen on the ski jumps around the world at least until 2026. The Olympics in Milan and Cortina are the long-term goal.

It is quite possible that Hayböck will still be active. The 32-year-old was happy about team silver: “A medal is a medal, we can be very satisfied”said the man who was the strongest athlete in the red-white-red quartet with distances of 228 and 224.5 meters. Hayböck finished eighth in the individual. “We’re all a bit sniffy, it was exhausting. But I’m looking forward to everything that’s to come. There are some cool competitions.”