The qualification round for the Vierschanzentournee is underway today at the Paul-Außerleitner-Schanze in Bischofshofen, marking the last stop of this year's ski jumping tour. The tradition of jumping on Three Kings Day brings excitement, as the highest structure among the four jumps presents unique challenges for the athletes. With the finals scheduled for tomorrow, today’s qualification is set to establish the knockout pairings for the first scoring round.
After three venues – Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Innsbruck – the competition is heating up. Austrian ski jumper Stefan Kraft leads the overall standings following his recent victory at the Bergiselspringen event. His Austrian compatriots, Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig, are trailing closely behind, creating what is shaping up to be a thrilling three-way battle for the title. The separation between these top three contenders is just 1.3 points – roughly equivalent to 72 centimeters, highlighting just how tight the competition is.
The qualification results will offer early indications of who is best positioned to capture the overall tour victory. This year marks the first time the tournament could see Austria reclaim victory after nearly a decade thanks to strong performances from their main jumpers. With the gaps between Kraft and his challengers significant enough, the question shifts from whether Austria can secure the win to which of their athletes will do so.
For the German team, the path to the top seems bleak. With Pius Paschke currently ranked sixth overall, having dropped 39.6 points from the leader – which is roughly equivalent to 22 meters of jump behind – the dream of claiming the overall title appears faint. The last German win at the Vierschanzentournee came 23 years ago; this year, all eyes are on the Austrians. Still, German coach Stefan Horngacher remains hopeful, aiming for at least one strong individual performance from his athletes.
Despite some previous disappointments, Paschke is not alone as he seeks redemption. Fellow German ski jumpers Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger, though facing struggles themselves – Geiger fell to twelfth place after poor performances – are part of the contingent aiming to place well.
Other competitors include Swiss and Norwegian jumpers Gregor Deschwanden and Johann Andre Forfang, respectively, currently ranked fourth and fifth. They represent the last significant hope to interrupt what might otherwise be an Austrian sweep. The overall standings reflect the stark challenges faced by these competitors; the Austrian men’s team has dominated throughout the tournament, with the caliber of their jumps raising the stakes for everyone involved.
The qualification heats will begin at 16:30 CET, providing skiers with one last chance to earn their place before the finals. Viewers interested in catching the action can find coverage through multiple outlets. The event will be broadcast live on ZDF, Eurosport, and ORF1, with streaming options available via ZDF Mediathek, Eurosport/discovery+, DAZN, and ORF TVthek. Popular sports news site skispringen.com will offer additional live commentary and insights through blogs and tickers, enhancing the viewing experience amid the tension of competition.
With expectations running high and the thrill of the winter sports season palpable, the Bischofshofen qualification promises to be not just another event, but possibly the stage where fresh heroes emerge or established stars fortify their legacies under the winter skies.