Bischofshofen: 14,000 spectators at Granerud tour victory
Halvor Egner Granerud was the first Norwegian to win the Four Hills Tournament since 2007. The 26-year-old won the final in Bischofshofen ahead of Anze Lanisek (SLO) and Dawid Kubacki (POL) and celebrated his third day’s victory in the fourth competition. In Bischofshofen he jumped 139.5 meters and in the final 143.5 meters.
ÖSV-Adler Paradies podium again
Austria’s ski jumpers once again presented themselves as a strong team, but narrowly missed the podium again. Michael Hayböck finished fourth on Friday as the best Austrian. In the overall standings, Kraft was the sixth best ÖSV eagle.
Despite the rain, the qualifying competition on Thursday was well attended with around 5,000 spectators – even more fans were expected for the tour final on Epiphany. In spring-like weather there were finally 14,000 who watched the final at the Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze and caused the Sepp Bradl Stadium to seethe.
Local hero Jan Hörl “super happy”
Local hero Jan Hörl from Bischofshofen and Stefan Kraft from SV Schwarzach (both Pongau) could have jumped for the first Austrian podium place in this Four Hills Tournament on Friday – but it didn’t want to be. Hörl finished fifth as the best Salzburg jumper. “I’m super happy. I’m ending the tour on a positive note, there was a great atmosphere today. It’s always really nice to jump at home and then also show two good jumps and the crowd cheers you, that’s always a great feeling,” said the Bischofshofener happily.
Kraft: “The horses ran away with me again”
Stefan Kraft jumped to fourth place in the first round and was the best Austrian. At half-time he is only 0.1 points off the podium. In the second jump, however, the man from Schwarzach only managed 127.5 meters and thus dropped to 14th place: “Once again, all the horses ran away with me. So apparently I am. But I didn’t care whether I finished fifth or 14th. There was just a bit too much attack.”
Bischofshofen: 14,000 spectators at Granerud tour victory
In Bischofshofen (Pongau) the 71st Four Hills Tournament was decided on Epiphany. The Norwegian Halvor Egner Granerud won the Four Hills Tournament for the first time and celebrated three out of four day victories. 14,000 fans watched the Epiphany jumping at the hill.
Tournament final for women and men 2024 possible
Planning for the sporting future is already underway behind the scenes in Bischofshofen, where in two years there will be a joint tournament final for men and women. For Bischofshofen’s ski club president, Manfred Schützenhofer, it would be a great upgrade to the traditional event: “We’re guns at heel and hope that’s actually the case. I’m very confident that 2024/2025 will be there. It would be great if we jumped a tournament final for women and men on one weekend.”
ÖSV must set organizational course
The German Ski Association already has plans for a women’s competition in Garmisch and Oberstdorf. In the coming months, it is the ÖSV’s turn to set the course for a women’s Four Hills Tournament.