Gregor Schlierenzauer’s two wins and one second place in the Four Hills ski jumping tournament see him on top of the standings with one hill left to jump.
Four Hills Oberstdorf podium, L-R: Andreas Kofler (3rd), Gregor Schlierenzauer (1st), Thomas Morgenstern (2nd) (© GEPA Pictures/Red Bull Content Pool)
The traditional series, known also in German as the ‘Vier Schanzen Tournee’ has already taken in Oberstdorf (Germany) on December 30, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) on New Year’s Day and Innsbruck (Austria) on January 4. Having won the first two events and finished second only to countryman and chief rival Andreas Kofler yesterday, Gregor Schlierenzauer now has 805.4 points to Kofler’s 788.4 in the tournament with just tomorrow’s round in Bischofshofen (Austria) left to contest.
Schlierenzauer, whose win in Garmisch was his 38th in the FIS World Cup, equalling the record of recently retired all-time great Adam Malysz (currently taking part in the 2012 Dakar Rally in South America) was not too disappointed to have slipped to second in Innsbruck, despite losing his chance of a Grand Slam of wins.
Gregor Schlierenzauer celebrates his second place in Innsbruck (© GEPA Pictures/Red Bull Content Pool)
“I did a good job of just focusing on myself and doing my thing,” said the tournament leader. “Congratulations to Andi [Andreas Kofler], of course, it is very cool that the victory stayed in Tyrol! My goal is to win the Four Hills Tournament and now I am one step closer to reaching that goal. I am looking forward to the final at Bischofshofen."
“I am very happy that I was able to win here on my home hill at Innsbruck,” commented Kofler. “It is very emotional for me. This victory means a lot to me because many athletes never manage to win at their home towns, and to do this during the Four Hills tournament is just perfect.”
Thomas Morgenstern in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (© GEPA Pictures/Red Bull Content Pool)
Thomas Morgenstern’s solid performances (third, sixth, sixth) so far mean he has climbed into third place overall and threatens to make it an all-Austrian lockout in this year’s top three. Morgi won the Four Hills Tournament last year, and he remained upbeat in Innsbruck.
“The conditions have been good, as well as my performance,” Morgenstern said yesterday in his latest blog. “I still can do better, but I'm really motivated…”
Of course, these four events are also part of the wider FIS World Cup picture, with Schlieri just 112 points behind Kofler in the standings on 656 points. Morgenstern currently lies fourth. But in the team event, all bets are off, with the Austrians’ combined efforts seeing them a colossal 1,414 points ahead of Germany in the team standings.
Qualification for tomorrow’s final event is just getting underway. Visit our Bischofshofen event page and fisskijumping.com for more information.
See more from Morgi at thomasmorgensterncom
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