Four Hills Tournament: Austria dominates the tour: Kraft wins, Paschke eighth

The German ski jumpers have disappointed again at the next Austrian Four Hills Tournament party. Pius Paschke only took eighth place as the best German in the spectacular air show hosted by winner Stefan Kraft and his teammates on Bergisel in Innsbruck. The golden eagle for the overall tour winner has long been out of reach for national coach Stefan Horngacher’s team and the podium is becoming increasingly distant. Paschke jumped 128.5 and 123.5 meters. He lost 23 points to winner Kraft.

“Everyone is the maker of their own luck. The others are just jumping extremely well at the moment,” said Paschke on ARD. “Something is missing for me. The lightness isn’t quite there.”

The Austrian Jan Hörl came second ahead of his compatriot Daniel Tschofenig. The three dominant Austrians also occupy the first three places in the overall tour standings – with Kraft now at the top. A nation occupying the entire podium after the event has only happened three times in 72 tour editions.

German chances are minimal even before the Bergisel jump

Hours before the competition, the first ski jumping fans made a pilgrimage to the mountain above the city. Beer and mulled wine were already flowing in the morning and the atmosphere was great. The spectators swayed warmly on the steep steps of the stadium to “Marble, Stone and Iron Breaks” and international hits. For the first time in a long time, the iconic arena with a view of the Nordkette mountains shining in the sun and the old cemetery was sold out. 22,500 spectators wanted to be there.

In the past, German tour hopes were often dashed at the infamous Bergisel. This time the chances of the first overall victory since Sven Hannawald’s triumph in 2002 were minimal even before the third stop on the tour.

Paschke’s form was only outstanding until shortly before Christmas

And that despite Paschke starting the event as the leader in the overall World Cup. The 34-year-old won five of the ten World Cups before the tour. Shortly before Christmas, the form got worse and the Austrians, who were already good, became the dominant jumping nation.

At the start in Oberstdorf, Kraft won ahead of two compatriots, Paschke came fourth. Kraft’s compatriot Tschofenig won the New Year’s competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Paschke lost his yellow World Cup jersey in ninth place. He went into the Bergisel competition in sixth place in the tour standings and more than 25 points behind the leader Tschofenig. There he again couldn’t keep up with the best.

Three Germans were eliminated in the first round

The example of Karl Geiger shows how difficult things are for Germans at the moment. The Oberstdorfer took sixth place as the best DSV eagle in the New Year’s competition. Now he was eliminated after the first round after a jump of 124 meters and a weak landing. Felix Hoffmann and Adrian Tittel also only completed one jump. “Very, very bitter, but you have to digest that too,” Hannawald told Geiger on ARD. The second best German was Andreas Wellinger in 13th place, Philipp Raimund landed in 15th place.

It continues this Sunday. The qualification for the final tour takes place in Bischofshofen at 4:30 p.m. (ZDF and Eurosport).