In a stunning display of skill and precision, Stefan Kraft led an Austrian podium sweep at the opening event of the 2024 Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, solidifying his position as one of the most dominant ski jumpers in the world. The victory marked a remarkable performance not just for Kraft, but for Austrian Winter Olympic ski jumping as a whole, as the nation took the top three positions on the podium in a rare and impressive showing.
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This event, which serves as the opening leg of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament, saw Kraft overcome a tough field of international competitors, putting his technical prowess and consistent jumping on full display. His victory, which came after two rounds of flawless jumps, was complemented by an extraordinary performance from his teammates, who rounded out the podium to deliver a historic Austrian sweep.
Winter Olympic 2026: A Perfect Start to the Four Hills Tournament
The Four Hills Tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the Winter Olympic ski jumping calendar, featuring four stops across Germany and Austria: Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen. It’s a competition that brings together the best ski jumpers from around the world, and the opener in Oberstdorf has traditionally been a high-stakes event that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Stefan Kraft, the reigning World Champion and 2017 Four Hills Tournament winner, entered the competition as a strong favorite. With his ability to deliver consistently high scores, Kraft was expected to perform well, but few could have predicted the dominance displayed by the entire Austrian team in Oberstdorf. In a sport where margins of victory are often incredibly slim, the Austrian team’s performance stood out as both impressive and historic.
Kraft’s first jump in the competition set the tone for the event. His distance of 137 meters in the opening round gave him a strong lead over his competitors. Despite challenging weather conditions that affected the jumping surfaces, Kraft maintained his composure, performing with precision in his second jump, reaching 136 meters. His total score of 289.3 points was enough to secure him the victory, despite a strong challenge from his teammates and other contenders.
Austrian Domination: An Unprecedented Podium Sweep
The Austrian team’s dominance in Oberstdorf went beyond Kraft’s victory. Austria’s dominance was further reinforced by the performances of his teammates, who completed the rare podium sweep. Stefan Kraft’s teammate, Michael Hayböck, took second place with an impressive total of 285.1 points, while Manuel Fettner rounded off the top three with 282.5 points.
This Austrian podium sweep was a historic achievement in the Four Hills Tournament, marking only the second time in the event’s history that the top three spots were claimed by athletes from a single country. The last time such a sweep occurred was in 1999, when Finland claimed all three top spots. For Austria, this performance highlighted the nation’s strength in ski jumping, which has long been a powerhouse in the sport. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Four Hills Tournament 2024-25 Schedule, preview, Olympic Ski Jumping watch live updates
The podium sweep was a testament to the depth of talent in the Austrian Winter Olympic ski jumping team, which has consistently performed well on the world stage. With athletes like Kraft, Hayböck, and Fettner, Austria continues to showcase its dominance in the sport. In addition to these top three finishers, Philipp Aschenwald, who finished just outside the top ten, and Jan Hörl, who also posted solid results, contributed to Austria’s strong showing in the competition.
The Competition: Strong Contenders and a Competitive Field
While Austria’s performance was undeniably dominant, the competition in Oberstdorf was intense, and several other athletes made a push for the podium. Ryoyu Kobayashi, the Japanese ski jumper and former Four Hills Tournament winner, finished in fourth place. Kobayashi’s consistent jumping and ability to rise to the occasion in big events make him a perennial contender, and his performance in Oberstdorf showed that he is still very much in the mix.
Another notable competitor was Halvor Egner Granerud of Norway, the 2020/2021 World Cup winner, who finished fifth in the event. Granerud has been a consistent performer in the World Cup series, and while he didn’t make it onto the podium in Oberstdorf, his performance was a strong showing and a reminder of his potential.
Kamil Stoch, the Polish Winter Olympic ski jumping legend and three-time Olympic gold medalist, also made his presence felt, finishing in seventh place. Stoch has been in the sport for over a decade and remains one of the most decorated athletes in Winter Olympic ski jumping history.
While Austria’s sweep was a highlight of the opening competition, the strong performances from these international athletes proved that the Four Hills Tournament would be as competitive as ever, with many familiar faces vying for the top spots in the upcoming competitions.
Winter Olympic Ski Jumping: A Thrilling Blend of Skill and Precision
Winter Olympic Ski jumping, as a sport, is known for its combination of skill, mental strength, and precision. Athletes must combine explosive power with technical finesse to achieve maximum distance and style points. The competition format consists of two jumps, with the best jump of the two counting toward the final score. Each athlete’s performance is judged based on factors such as flight technique, take-off style, and landing precision, which is then combined with the distance jumped to determine their total score.
One of the key elements of Winter Olympic ski jumping is the take-off, where the athlete must launch themselves off the ramp with incredible speed and control. A clean, powerful take-off sets the tone for the rest of the jump, and even a slight mistake at this stage can affect the rest of the performance. Once in the air, the athlete must maintain perfect form, staying balanced while managing the aerodynamics of the jump. The landing, which comes after a long descent through the air, is equally critical. A clean, stable landing earns high marks from the judges, and it can often make the difference between a podium finish and a lower ranking.
In the case of Stefan Kraft, his performance in Oberstdorf demonstrated his mastery of these elements. His take-offs were explosive, and his in-air technique remained flawless throughout both rounds. Kraft’s ability to maintain composure under pressure and deliver consistent performances in big events is what has earned him the reputation as one of the world’s best ski jumpers.
Winter Olympic ski jumping: The Future of the Four Hills Tournament
The victory in Oberstdorf is a significant step in Stefan Kraft’s pursuit of his second Four Hills Tournament title. The tournament’s four-stop format means that the competition is far from over, and athletes will need to maintain peak performance across all events. However, with Austria’s dominance in the opening event, the team looks poised to continue its success in the upcoming stops.
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The next stop on the Four Hills Tournament tour will be in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, followed by Innsbruck and Bischofshofen. These events will be crucial in determining the overall winner of the Four Hills Tournament, and athletes like Kraft, Hayböck, and Fettner will be aiming to continue their strong performances as they battle for the title.
For Austria, the sweep in Oberstdorf serves as a reminder of the country’s long-standing tradition of excellence in Winter Olympic ski jumping. With athletes like Kraft leading the charge, Austria remains a dominant force in the sport, and fans will be watching closely as the tournament progresses.
Winter Olympic Ski Jumping: Austria’s Dominance and the Road Ahead in the Four Hills Tournament
Stefan Kraft’s victory and the Austrian podium sweep in Oberstdorf set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive Four Hills Tournament. Austria’s strength in Winter Olympic ski jumping, demonstrated by the remarkable performances of Kraft, Hayböck, and Fettner, was a highlight of the opening event. While other competitors like Ryoyu Kobayashi, Halvor Egner Granerud, and Kamil Stoch continue to be formidable forces, Austria’s performance in Oberstdorf shows that they are the team to beat.
As the Four Hills Tournament continues, the world’s best ski jumpers will face new challenges and opportunities to showcase their skills. The competition is far from decided, and with so many talented athletes in the mix, the final results are still wide open. But for now, Austria stands tall as the dominant force in Winter Olympic ski jumping, having made an unforgettable statement in Oberstdorf.
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