Germany matches Poland’s passion: Oberstdorf’s 10,000-strong town ignites the Four Hills opener

If anyone doubts whether fans still love ski jumping, they should visit Oberstdorf. The town of just under 10,000 inhabitants proves every year that there is no better place to open the Four Hills Tournament. Even if national confidence feels a bit lower this season, Germans still hope to break a 24‑year drought—something outgoing head coach Stefan Horngacher was expected to deliver during his tenure.

Each Four Hills stop has its charm: Garmisch‑Partenkirchen’s special New Year’s Day event, Innsbruck’s striking Bergisel hill, and Bischofshofen’s decisive finale. Yet Oberstdorf is portrayed as the embodiment of love for ski jumping and a festival that spills far beyond the stands. The Schattenbergschanze atmosphere is often compared to Zakopane—only without the controversial vuvuzelas. The whole town dresses up for the event with flags on lampposts, and over three tournament days Oberstdorf stays lively from the team presentation in the town center (day 0) to post‑competition evenings, with live music and a bustling market.

Germany’s relationship with the Four Hills is described as a love‑hate story: despite unwavering affection, the country has waited 24 years for another overall victor, while co‑hosts across the border have celebrated eight Golden Eagles in that span. Promising starts have often faded as the tournament progresses, especially after the move to Austria.

The article highlights a generational shift. Expectations are no longer placed on veterans Andreas Wellinger or Karl Geiger, but on younger jumpers Philipp Raimund and Felix Hoffmann. Raimund has been consistently strong since the season began, while the more variable Hoffmann shone in Engelberg with back‑to‑back podiums. “Philipp Raimund and Felix Hoffmann have shown they can compete at the highest level. We certainly won’t say we have no chance. We know what we can do,” says Horngacher, while acknowledging stronger favorites this year, such as World Cup leader Domen Prevc and Ryoyu Kobayashi.

For the Austrian coach, this season is the last chance to fulfill the goal set when he took over the German team: deliver the first Golden Eagle since Sven Hannawald. The Oberstdorf competition is scheduled to start at 16:30 on Monday.