Ski jumping after Christmas
Opportunities, bonuses, TV: the most important things about the Four Hills Tournament
Two countries, four ski jumps: The tour guarantees a great ski jumping spectacle. This time the top favorite comes from Germany – but has shown weaknesses recently.
Here we go again: From this Sunday onwards, the best ski jumpers in the world will be competing for victory in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament. The German Press Agency answers the most important questions before the start of the 73rd edition of the big spectacle around the turn of the year.
How does the Four Hills Tournament work?
The Four Hills Tournament – including qualifications – lasts ten days. In four competitions the jumpers try to get as many points as possible. The points resulting from the distance jumped, the attitude scores, wind points and possible points if the approach length is changed are added together. Whoever has the most points at the end after eight competition jumps wins the overall tour ranking. The four qualifying jumps do not count towards the ranking.
The first two competitions take place in Germany, then the jumping entourage travels to Austria. After the start in Oberstdorf, we head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the traditional New Year’s competition. The athletes will then be challenged on the Bergisel in Innsbruck and finally on the Paul-Außerleitner-Schanze in Bischofshofen.
Pius Paschke has won five of ten individual competitions this season and is leading the overall World Cup. The wearer of the yellow jersey is therefore the top favorite on paper. Paschke, whose splendid upturn this winter was unforeseeable, showed weaknesses at the tour dress rehearsal in Switzerland. The 34-year-old finished tenth once and finished 18th once.
Several Austrians are in top form. Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig each won once and came second once in Engelberg. You also have to have Stefan Kraft on the bill. Hörl and Tschofenig’s compatriot triumphed on the 2015 tour.
Ryoyu Kobayashi has already won the top event three times. However, the Japanese touring expert is not yet in form this year. The second German hopeful is Andreas Wellinger. The Olympic champion also has the potential to become a tour champion. The Swiss Gregor Deschwanden has also been strong so far this season.
Why is there no tour for women?
The ski jumpers have also been wanting a tour for years. So far there has only been enough for the so-called Two Nights Tour with competitions in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A sticking point on the way to a complete tour is the lack of floodlights in Innsbruck. But this could come soon. There will be further talks in January.
“I think if you really want it, then you’ll find a way,” said Germany’s best jumper Katharina Schmid about the problems that have so far prevented a women’s tour. This also includes further infrastructure difficulties and limited hotel capacities. “I hope they find a way soon.”
The overall winner receives the famous golden eagle. In addition to the trophy, the champion can also look forward to a bonus of 100,000 Swiss francs (around 107,000 euros). In addition, there is the usual World Cup prize money from the Fis World Association for the individual competitions. They are paid out in stages to the best 30 athletes in each event. Winning the qualification also brings 3,000 francs (around 3,200 euros).
Where can you watch the competitions?
The ARD and ZDF share the broadcasts. ZDF reports from Oberstdorf and the big finale in Bischofshofen. ARD broadcasts from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck. The qualification and the competition on the following day will be shown. All competitions and qualifications can also be seen on Eurosport.
dpa
Source: Stern

I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.