Tschofenig claims “amazing” comeback victory at Willingen World Cup
Feb 01, 2025·Ski Jumping
European Games champion Daniel Tschofenig extended his advantage in the race for the FIS Ski Jumping Crystal Globe following a brilliant second round performance at the Willingen World Cup in Germany.
The Austrian, who won his maiden Four Hills Tournament crown last month, won the subsequent event in Zakopane (POL) before missing out on the podium places during the Oberstdorf (GER) double-header.
He was second behind Anze Lanisek (SLO) after the opening round, before delivering a massive 142m jump which secured him 147.6 points, to total 288.9.
Lanisek (124.9) had to settle for silver, but was still happy with what was his first individual World Cup podium finish of the season.
Maximilian Ortner (AUT) celebrated wildly after landing an impressive second round jump and it was soon confirmed it would be enough for third, with an overall total of 275.9.
Tsfchofenig now has 1246 points in the overall World Cup standings, a lead of 163 over countryman Jan Hoerl, and is 371 ahead of Pius Paschke (GER), who endured another difficult day.
“It was amazing to be here today,” Tschofenig told FIS after the event. “The Jumps were amazing and jumping in front of such a crowd with that vibe is always a pleasure for me.”
“It (his second jump) was a good one, the first was good, but the conditions I’d say were worse, but the second jump was better and then with the conditions it really flies.
Tschofenig continued; “Of course, it’s great for me to jump here, but with such spectators it’s amazing.”
He and the rest of the field will return for the second FIS Ski Jumping Willingen World Cup event on Sunday.
Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) showed encouraging form heading into the Festive / New Year Four Hills Tournament contest, but achieved just one podium finish across those events and his struggles continued throughout January.
His form is yet to improve in February, but after placing 27th in round one he will be able to take at least a little encouragement from climbing seven places in the second.
Tate Frantz (USA) was another who found the tricky conditions unfavourable while performing his opening round jump. The American would however climb a colossal 12 places to finish 16th, whilst his team-mate Kevin Bickner (USA) achieved his highest-ever finish with tenth.
Also making a significant improvement was Four Hills runner-up Jan Hoerl, who rose 10, to finish sixth and pick up valuable World Cup points.
Attaining his first-ever World Cup points was Rok Oblak (SLO), who was 29th.
Just two places ahead of the Slovenian was Pius Paschke (GER), with the veteran ski jumper and winner of five individual events this season, recording his second lowest finish of the campaign.
Norwegians Benjamin Oestvold and Johann Andre Forfang demonstrated further evidence of their medal-potential come their home World Championships next month by placing fifth and fourth respectively.
Their team-mate Halvor Egner Granerud had also been in contention at the halfway stage, but dropped from third to 11th after challenges in the second round.
Ortner (AUT) climbed two places to secure the last podium berth, which was just the second of his career and first since the season-opener in Lillehammer (NOR).
Lanisek (SLO) was hoping to land a first World Cup win of the season given his position at the summit of the standings after round one, but ultimately Tschofenig proved too strong.
The Austrian has now claimed six victories and 12 podium finishes this season and is well-placed to secure the 2024/25 Crystal Globe.
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Willingen (GER):
2 February
14.30 Start Qualification Men’s LH
16.00 Competition Start Men’s LH
* All listings are in Central European Time (CET) and are subject to change.
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