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December 26, 2021 – 7:51 am Clock
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Oberstdorf (dpa) – Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, Bischofshofen. Ten days, eight days of competition, four hills, two countries.
The Four Hills Tournament for ski jumpers promises a lot of excitement at the 70th edition too. Are the Germans ending the 20 year lull since Sven Hannawald? Are the Poles suddenly coming up again around Kamil Stoch? And: why are only men always jumping? The most important questions and answers before the anniversary:
Who are the favorites for the title?
Karl Geiger comes to the first highlight of the season in the yellow jersey of the World Cup leader. The Oberstdorfer is not only second on the tour last year, but also the best ski jumper of the previous Olympic winter. His toughest opponent is likely to be the Japanese Ryoyu Kobayashi, who has already missed several competitions because of a corona quarantine and is still runner-up overall. The Norwegians around Halvor Egner Granerud and the Austrians around world champion Stefan Kraft, who is particularly good at the start in Oberstdorf, can also be trusted. The Poles around defending champion Kamil Stoch have disappointed in the season so far.
What other promising Germans are there?
Geiger goes on tour as number one, that much is clear. His buddy and roommate Markus Eisenbichler has already achieved top results this season, but recently weakened at the dress rehearsal in Engelberg. Andreas Wellinger also wants to shine in the spotlight again after difficult years in sport. Severin Freund, who won the jumping in Oberstdorf in 2015, will be used for the first time this winter.
Are spectators allowed in the arenas?
No. The exclusion had long been clear for the two German stations in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. For Austria this was decided on December 23rd. Initially, the organizers had planned with 4000 people in Innsbruck and 3500 people in Bischofshofen. The reason for the short-term cancellation of the audience is the Omikron variant, as announced by the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV).
What does the winner get?
Significantly more than ever before. The tour winner will receive around 100,000 Swiss francs (around 96,000 euros), five times as much as before when 20,000 Swiss francs were distributed. If a ski jumper manages to win all four qualifications and all four jumps, more than 150,000 francs in prize money is possible. On top of that there is of course the prestigious golden eagle.
When is there a tour for women?
The organizers are working flat out – they say. But so far there is no fixed time or detailed planning for the start of the women’s tour. The ski jumpers are getting impatient. “A lot has always been said, but too little has been done,” said Selina on Friday. After all, there will be a New Year’s competition for the first time this winter. However, it does not take place on the large Olympic hill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but on a normal hill in Ljubno, Slovenia.
Where can you see the jumping?
ARD and ZDF take turns in the broadcast. The ARD shows the jumps in Oberstdorf and Bischofshofen and relies on expert Sven Hannawald, who 20 years ago was the first athlete to win all four competitions in succession. The ZDF shows the jumps in Garmisch and Innsbruck. Eurosport traditionally shows all four competitions. The rest days are this time on December 30th and January 2nd. Unlike usual, the jumpers do not leave Bischofshofen this time after the final of the tour, but still have a World Cup weekend on them.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211225-99-503590 / 2
Source: DPA
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