Austrian Ski Jumpers Secure Top Spots in Garmisch as Tour Heads to Innsbruck
The second leg of the 74th Four Hills Tournament (Vierschanzentournee) concluded today in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, with the Austrian “Eagles” delivering a high-altitude performance that keeps the dream of a total tournament victory alive.
Following our complete guide to the 2025/2026 tournament, the New Year’s Day competition proved that the battle for the Golden Eagle trophy will be one of the tightest in recent years.
Garmisch Highlights: Austrians in the Mix
The winds on the Great Olympic Hill were challenging, but the Austrian team showed remarkable technical depth.
- Top Performers: Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft both secured top-ten finishes, ensuring they remain within striking distance in the overall tournament standings.
- Consistency is Key: Daniel Tschofenig continued his strong form, proving that the Austrian coaching staff has peaked the team’s fitness perfectly for the turn of the year.
While the day’s victory went to a narrow margin between the Slovenian and German favorites, the Austrian squad leaves Germany with high confidence.
The Home Advantage: Next Stop, Innsbruck
The tournament now crosses the border into the nine federal states of Austria, heading straight for the iconic Bergisel Stadium. As we noted in our Innsbruck qualifying preview, the atmospheric Bergisel is known for its “updraft” which often favors the technical precision of the Austrian jumpers.
What’s at Stake in the Tyrol?
As the “Eagles” prepare for the third jump of the tour, the pressure shifts to the overall leaders. For the Austrian fans traveling to Innsbruck, the hope is that Stefan Kraft or Jan Hörl can utilize the home-crowd energy to close the gap on the Slovenian and German leaders before the final showdown in Bischofshofen.
For many sports fans waking up to a new 2026 and perhaps testing out the new bottle deposit system with their morning drinks the Four Hills Tournament remains the highlight of the winter sports calendar.
