Austria’s Stefan Kraft celebrates after the 2nd round of the Men’s Large Hill Tournament of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Daniel Karmann/dpa
Stefan Kraft claimed his first season victory as co-hosts Austria made a big Four Hills statement of intent with a podium sweep at the first stop on Sunday.
Kraft soared 138 metres and 135.5 metres for a third victory on the Oberstdorf hill where he had claimed the first of now 44 World Cup wins 10 years ago.
Jan Hörl trailed by 3.5 points with jumps of 134.5m and 135m. Daniel Tschofenig completed the all-Austrian podium, 11.5 points back, with 131m and 140.5m.
That left only fourth place for German World Cup leader Pius Paschke in front off a big home crowd.
“Every victory is special but it is very emotional because I got my first win in Oberstdorf. I will now try to keep this flow in the competition. I know what I have to do,” Kraft said.
Kraft is the last Austrian to win the Four Hills, in 2014-15, and he said “it is our big wish” to end this drought.
Paschke is 13.5 points back as he aims to end an even longer German title drought since Sven Hannawald’s historic first grand slam in 2001-02.
Defending champion Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan, who has been struggling all season, had to settle for 18th place.
The Four Hills continues on Wednesday at the other German venue of Garmisch-Partenkirchen before moving to Austria for the final competitions in Innsbruck on Saturday and Bischofshofen two days later.
Austria’s Stefan Kraft in action during the 2nd round of the Men’s Large Hill Tournament of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Daniel Karmann/dpa
Austria’s Stefan Kraft (C) celebrates with his teammates after the 2nd round of the Men’s Large Hill Tournament of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. Daniel Karmann/dpa