Hayböck third

The New Year’s competition in Garmisch – LIVE from 2 pm

Daniel Tschofenig triumphs at the New Year's competition in Garmisch!

(Bild: GEPA)

Austria's ski eagles remain the measure of all things: Daniel Tschofenig, a red-white-red ski jumper, also won the second competition of the Four Hills Tournament on New Year's Day!

With distances of 141.5 and 143 meters, the 22-year-old from Carinthia won 8.6 points ahead of Switzerland's Gregor Deschwanden and 9.9 ahead of his compatriot Michael Hayböck. After the ÖSV triple victory in Oberstdorf, the Austrians retain their three-way lead in the overall standings. Tschofenig now leads ahead of Jan Hörl (5th on the day) and opening winner Stefan Kraft (8th).

Tschofenig also ensured the first red-white-red victory in Garmisch since 2014, back then by Thomas Diethart. He thus comes to Innsbruck in the blue jersey of the tour leader, but he has also taken the lead in the overall World Cup by two points from five-time season winner Pius Paschke.

The result:

(Bild: live.fis-ski.com)

"I already said in the morning that I like the hill," Tschofenig said with a laugh in the ORF interview. "They were two brilliant jumps. I still need to practise my landing a few more times," said the half-time leader, referring to his wobble on the last jump of the day.

Tschofenig now leads the overall standings by 7.9 points ahead of Hörl and 8.7 ahead of Kraft. "Brilliant. When I imagine how I dreamed of this as a small child - and now I can wear the blue (jersey, note) - unimaginable," enthused Tschofenig.

Hayböck with hill record
The new hill record holder Hayböck was also very happy. The Upper Austrian sailed down to 145 meters in the first round. "That was also the luck of the brave", he said, referring to the good wind conditions on a changeable day. "I'm incredibly happy about the podium place and the hill record." In addition, he has now made it into the top three at all four Tournament venues, with Garmisch-Partenkirchen still missing from his collection. "A great start to the new year."

Stefan Kraft had to give up his lead, but in the end he was happy after only finishing 14th on Wednesday. "I am very relieved. I kept the gap within limits and I'm happy now," said Kraft on ORF. The second jump was a nuance better in terms of timing.

Here is the standings in the Four Hills Tournament:

Looking ahead to Innsbruck, where the World Cup squad will now travel to and compete in the qualification and competition after a rest day, Kraft was optimistic about the overall standings. "1-2-3 - I'm already looking forward to the atmosphere," he visualized the atmosphere on the Bergisel, but did not forget the Swiss Deschwanden. "It will still be exciting. The Bergisel can also be a diva, but we know it very well."

Kraft wants to "annoy the youngsters"
 Kraft has certainly not given up the fight for his second overall Tour victory, exactly ten years later. "I'm trying to annoy the two boys. They are already a shade better, but maybe with my experience I can upset them," hopes Kraft. As always, the tour will conclude on Epiphany Day in Bischofshofen.

Germany's high-flyer Pius Paschke had surprisingly lost the knockout duel against the US American Tate Frantz, but made it safely through as one of five lucky losers. After finishing fourth in Oberstdorf, he came ninth and is now sixth overall, 25.3 points behind.