Daniel Tschofenig has made history by winning the Vierschanzentournee 2024/2025, marking Austria's first total victory at the event since Stefan Kraft's triumph ten years ago. The young ski jumper clinched the title after securing first place at the dramatic final jump held on January 6, 2025, at Bischofshofen, finely edging out his teammates Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft who finished second and third respectively.
The finale unfolded as one of the most exhilarating competitions the Vierschanzentournee has seen, characterized by breath-taking jumps and fierce rivalries among the top Austrian jumpers. Tschofenig began the final round trailing behind his teammates but soared to a personal best of 140.5 meters on his second jump, rallying to take the daily victory with 308.6 points. His performance was particularly impressive considering he was fifth after the first round, with initial jumps constricted by difficult wind conditions.
"I never believed I had another chance. Kraft was so dominant throughout the tournament," Tschofenig commented, his disbelief shifting to jubilation as he celebrated his first Vierschanzentournee victory. His triumph came by the narrowest of margins, narrowly beating Hörl by just 1.4 points and Kraft by 4.1, underscoring the competitiveness of the final events.
Hörl opened the jump with a stellar 140.5 meters, setting the stage for Tschofenig’s climb to victory. Tschofenig’s early jump took place under challenging conditions, and even though Kraft managed to lead after the first round due to compensation points, he faltered on his second jump, landing at only 137.5 meters and slipping from first to third.
Despite the wind delaying some jumpers, the atmosphere among the fans remained charged as Tschofenig replaced Kraft as the leading jumper, aided by his teammates' collective prowess. Hörl seemed primed to maintain his lead but faltered during his landing, costing him valuable points and allowing Tschofenig to capitalize on the situation.
With the victory, Tschofenig not only secured the gold eagle trophy but did so with record-breaking scores, confirming his leading position within the World Cup rankings as well.
The drama manifested not just through individual performances but also within the broader competition dynamics. The Austrian team dominated the tournament, finishing with three of the top finishers, resulting in their first collective wins since 2012, when they managed similar podium success.
Post-event, Tschofenig shared his joy publicly, highlighting the surreal nature of his victory. "It doesn’t quite feel real yet," he exclaimed, overjoyed yet composed. While reliving his teammates' torment, he acknowledged the broader celebration among the Austrian ski jumping contingent, which thrived under the cheers of approximately 14,300 spectators at the iconic Paul-Außerleitner-Schanze.
The collective disappointment of the German ski team this year was noted, with Pius Paschke finishing sixth overall and Andreas Wellinger managing to place ninth on the day. They seemed resigned as they awaited their next opportunities for redemption, with lasting results indicating the stark competition they faced from the Austrians. Wellinger, reflecting on the results, characterized the finale as 'beautiful advertisement for ski jumping.'
Andreas Widhölzl, Tschofenig's head coach, chimed positively on the team's success and Tschofenig's immense potential, hinting at more promising futures for the young talent. After the tournament, he too intended to unwind with celebrations, eager to honor victory and camaraderie among his successful athletes.
Finally, as the excitement from Bischofshofen lingers, fans can look forward to the next chapter of ski jumping as the World Cup resumes on January 18 and 19, 2025, continuing the legacy of this thrilling sport.