Kraft, who had already triumphed at the start in Oberstdorf, intercepted his teammate Hörl, who was leading at half time, with a jump of 132.5 m on the sold-out Bergisel. With a lead of 1.4 points, the 31-year-old celebrated his first success in Innsbruck, but his 45th overall in the World Cup. Garmisch winner Tschofenig completed the red-white-red podium again, 10.0 points behind Kraft.
“That’s something really special, definitely top three in my victories,” beamed Kraft in the ORF interview after his first win in Innsbruck. The top trio, which was already clearly in the lead after the first round in the order Hörl – Kraft – Tschofenig, was not impressed by the pressure. “We were relaxed before the decision. We can ease each other up there, that’s why we’re a bit better at the moment,” said the winner. The narrow lead over last year's winner Hörl shows that everyone would jump on equal terms: “It couldn't be more exciting.”
With the success in Innsbruck, Kraft moved a lot closer to his second triumph at the Four Hills Tournament after the one in 2014/15 – which was also the last by an Austrian. The Salzburger took the lead in the overall standings over Hörl and goes into the final on Monday in Bischofshofen with a lead of 0.6 points. Tschofenig is also breathing down Kraft's neck in third place, only 1.3 points behind. The qualification for the Epiphany competition can be seen live on Sunday from 4.15 p.m. (start 4.30 p.m.) on ORF1.
Not cool enough this time
While Kraft put himself in pole position for the overall victory, Hörl struggled a bit with his second jump. “I tried to stay cool. I didn't quite succeed. But it's clear when the two in front of you put one down. Of course you get that. I felt nervous. My jump wasn't like the first one. But it was rock solid, I'm super happy with the second one,” said the Salzburg man, who received the highest score of 20 from the Canadian judges for his 135.0 meters in the first round.
Hörl was only narrowly beaten
The half-time leader Jan Hörl jumped only half a meter shorter than Kraft in the final, but he blurred his jump a bit and came a close second.
Tschofenig, who not only defended his lead in the overall World Cup with third place in Innsbruck but also extended it somewhat, was particularly pleased about the renewed demonstration of power. “It's absolutely brilliant: one, two three in Innsbruck. Nobody expected that, now we are really happy. We know that we can jump really well. Although it's never clear, I'm really proud of the team. Winning in front of a home crowd and a full house is not easy at all, but it is wonderful now,” said the Carinthian, who was supported by friends and family.
Anticipation of showdown
The support of the fans will once again be enormous in Bischofshofen – especially thanks to the prospect of the end of the Austrian tour drought after ten years. In any case, Hörl promised a full attack on the leader, despite the good atmosphere in the team: “It was another great team performance, that's good for us,” said the 26-year-old, “but everyone is responsible for themselves. We'll see what happens in the end. But hopefully an Austrian will get the (golden, note) eagle.”
Tschofenig back on the podium
After his victory on New Year's Day in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, World Cup leader Daniel Tschofenig also made it onto the podium in Innsbruck.
Tschofenig was also looking forward to the showdown due to the tight starting position: “Our distance is abnormal. I can't remember a time when it was so brutally close. Now it's getting really, really exciting.” In the overall World Cup, the 22-year-old is now 20 points ahead of the new runner-up Hörl and 30 points ahead of the German Pius Paschke, who came eighth in Innsbruck. Kraft, who won in Bischofshofen last year, is fourth by a respectable margin of 127 points.
In the ORF interview, head coach Andreas Widhölzl spoke of another “insane day” not only because of the triple victory, but also because he was “extremely nervous” in the coaching tower. The Tyrolean, himself a tour winner in the 1999/2000 season, also looked forward to the last stop with great anticipation: “It will be a hot fight. The form of the day will certainly be decisive and who will have the best nerves that day. They are well positioned and know that the ski jump in Bischofshofen is suitable for everyone. May the better man win.”
AP/Matthias Schrader
ÖSV team closed strong again
Speaking of a crazy day: the remaining Austrians were also in the front field again. Maximilian Ortner made it into the top ten again in seventh place. Markus Müller, who narrowly avoided a fall when landing on 130.0 m in the first attempt, improved from 21st to eleventh place in the second round with a flawless 129.0 m. In the wake of the young Carinthian, Michael Hayböck moved from 20th to twelfth place in the decision.
Veteran Manuel Fettner, who was not in the squad in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, came 16th, Clemens Aigner finished 30th, finishing at the bottom of the rankings in the second round. There were no World Cup points for Stephan Embacher and Jonas Schuster. The two youngsters fell by the wayside in their first attempt in the sold-out “Hexenkessel” above Innsbruck. A total of ten Austrians qualified for the main competition.
