Nika Prevc powers to ‘Two Nights Tour’ title defence

It may be a new year, but for Nika Prevc (SLO) it was the same outcome, as the 2023/24 Crystal Globe winner successfully retained the ‘Two Nights Tour’ title in Oberstdof (GER).

The 19-year-old won the opening World Cup contest in Garmisch-Partenkichen (GER) 24 hours earlier, but found herself in fourth after the first round in the second event.

Selina Freitag (GER) had led at that stage, but a phenomenal jump of 134.5m from Prevc in the second round saw her attain an unbeatable overall total of 311.9 points.

Anna Odine Stroem (NOR) would take second on the night in Oberstdorf, with 304.5, and Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) was third, with 300.1.

“I’m super excited,” Prevc told FIS after her latest success.

“I was a little bit unhappy with my performance in qualification and first round and then I just tried to relax and I’m just happy I did such good jump.

Prevc continued; “I haven’t set any goals for this year, but for this season I hope I continue this jumping and achieve good results in the future.”

How the Two Nights Tour top-three assessed their competition performances

Nika Prevc (SLO) finished the Two Nights Tour with a total of 587.7 points across the two World Cup events, after two victories.

"I am happy I started so well because the first training jump was so good and then I was struggling a little bit in the next jumps," Prevc told FIS. "I am happy i managed one really good jump which led me to such good results."

Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) was second with 568.7 points after placing second in Germisch-Partenkichen and third in Oberstdof.

"It was a great start to the new year, a really fun competition and I'm happy to be on the overall podium," said Kvandal.

"I will not be in Vallach (the next World Cup venue), I will prioritise some training to be in the best proper condition for the World Championships."

Katharina Schmid (GER) placed third in the overall standings with 547.8 points following fifth and fourth place finishes across the two World Cups.

"I'm really happy that I am on the podoium in the overall as it hurts a little more to be next to the podium and at home," Schmid told FIS.

"My jumps were not the best i had, but that's how it is and it's okay."

How it played out: Two Nights Tour – Oberstdof

Less than 24 hours after completing the first leg of the ‘Two Nights Tour’ a 55-strong line-up had took to the hill during qualification.

The top 30 progressed to the first round and it was World Cup leader Katharina Schmid (GER) who ranked first after a tight contest, with a jump of 118m, which scored 142.7m.

Selina Freitag (GER) began the season with second and third-place finishes in Lillehammer (NOR), but had been unable to place on the podium in any event since.

She qualified in 16^th place, but a combination of improved form together with favourable weather conditions at the beginning of the first round saw her record a jump of 131m and score of 153.5, which would not be beaten.

Anna Odine Stroem (NOR), World Cup leader Katharina Schmid (GER) and defending ‘Two Nights Tour’ champion Nika Prevc (SLO) followed, in second to fourth respectively. 

With the weather settling in the second the conditions provided favourable conditions for the field, with few delays.

Thea Minyan Bjoerseth (NOR) achieved the first podium finish of her career with bronze in Engelberg (SUI) last month and was sixth in Garmisch-Partenkichen, but fell well-short of that form in Oberstdorf, finishing 20^th.

Almost three years have passed since 2018 Olympic bronze medallist Sara Takanashi (JPN) last won a World Cup event and while she would not threaten those in medal contention in Oberstdof she would make an encouraging improvement of five places between the rounds.

The Japanese ski jumper placing 11^th, two places behind Lisa Eder of Austria, who achieved two third place finishes across the first couple of events this season, but is struggling with her consistency at present.

Katharina Schmid (GER) missed out on the top three by just 0.7 points, but retains her lead at the top of the World Cup standings.

Kvandal rose from fourth to second in the Oberstdof rankings between the first and second round to secure her third top-three of the season, with Stroem securing her first podium of her 2024/25 campaign. 

Prevc now has three wins and is rapidly closing in on Schmid in the chase for the Crystal Globe crown.

The women’s field will now head to Austria for the next World Cup, which takes place in Villach from 4-6 January.