Kraft, who made it into the decision as the best “lucky loser”, improved in front of 25,000 spectators in the outrun of the Schattenbergschanze following 133.5 meters in the first round in the second attempt to 138.0 meters and thus moved up from seventh to fifth place. The 29-year-old was still 20.4 points behind Sieger Granerud in difficult conditions with changing wind conditions.
“I’m mega happy, especially that I’m healthy once more and have energy,” said Kraft, who, weakened by a cold in qualifying the day before, had only finished 44th. However, the man from Salzburg “got along very well” with the Schattenbergschanze and even “pulled the handbrake a bit” on the first jump.
Granerud wins opener in Oberstdorf
Halvor Egner Granerud clearly won the start of the 71st Four Hills Tournament. The Norwegian won the show jumping in Oberstdorf on Thursday with 13.4 and 17.5 points respectively ahead of the Poles Piotr Zyla and Dawid Kubacki. As the best Austrian, Stefan Kraft ended up in fifth place.
In the decision only dominator Granerud jumped further as a force. “With more self-confidence, that was a real power jump and it paid off,” said the world champion happily in the finish area. The gap to Granerud is already big following the first of four competitions, but Zyla and Kubacki are within striking distance with seven and 2.9 points respectively. “Everyone in front of me are favourites. I’m fully involved and in good spirits,” the Salzburg native remained confident.
Strength improves to fifth place
The man from Salzburg seized the opportunity in the second round and moved up to fifth place.
Tschofenig achieves goal
In addition to Kraft, Tschofenig might also be satisfied with the first tour competition. The Carinthian ranked eighth with jumps of 122.5 and 132.5 meters. “The jump as a whole was even better than the first. I end the day very positively. My goal is to jump into the top ten. I did it, it’s a great feeling,” Tschofenig said happily in an ORF interview.
Tschofenig is eighth
The Carinthian also improved in the second round and finally made it into the top ten.
For the remaining Austrians, the start of the 71st tour only partially went as desired. Michael Hayböck in twelfth place and Manuel Fettner in 13th place ended up in midfield. Jan Hörl climbed up to 16th place in the decision. Philipp Aschenwald also scored World Cup points in 23rd place. Only Clemens Leitner missed the decision as 35th from an Austrian point of view.
Hayböck in particular was unhappy with the external circumstances and the jury. “The jumps were okay, but you struggle with being let down in the first round when nobody can fly,” said the 31-year-old, clearly annoyed. “Then the circumstances change, so that another competition arises.” Hayböck saw an unfair competition, the chances of an absolute tour top position have shrunk significantly with a deficit of 50.3 points. It was a similar fate for Fettner, who struggled with the mild temperatures above freezing and his crouch.
Granerud underlines the role of favourite
In any case, Granerud lived up to his role as favourite, because the Norwegian had already dominated qualifying and the tryout. In the competition, the 26-year-old did not let himself be taken away from the bread, despite difficult conditions with changing wind conditions, and clinched victory with the day’s maximum distance of 142.5 meters in the first round and 139.0 meters and thus also the longest jump in the second attempt.
For Granerud it was following Kuusamo (ex aequo with Kraft) the second success this season and the 15th in the World Cup at all. On the other hand, it was the Norwegian’s first victory on the tour. Speaking of Norway: Granerud ensured the Norsker’s first success in Oberstdorf since Anders Jacobsen ten years ago. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Sunday, Granerud is now the big hunted. The qualification for the New Year’s competition on the big Olympic hill is on the program on Saturday (2 p.m., live on ORF1).
