Jan Hörl maintains stellar form at Hinzenbach Ski Jumping Grand Prix stop

Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig underlined Austria’s depth as the FIS Ski Jumping Grand Prix reached its penultimate stop in Hinzenbach (AUT), where two normal hill competitions were held. Former series leader Niklas Bachlinger skipped the event.

On Saturday, Hörl led after the first round with a 94.0 m jump but slipped to third after a weaker second attempt. Philipp Raimund (GER) took the win, with Tschofenig second thanks to the best-scoring second jump of the day.

Hörl, celebrating his 27th birthday during the week, responded on Sunday by leading after round one and producing the day’s top second-round score to win ahead of Tschofenig, while Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) finished third.

Raimund narrowly missed another podium on Sunday. A strong 93.0 m second jump was marred by a skis-together landing rather than a telemark, costing style points and dropping him to fourth, 7.6 points behind Hörl. Nevertheless, the result was enough to move him into the overall Grand Prix lead heading into the Klingenthal (GER) finale.

Raimund carries a 42-point advantage over Sakutaro Kobayashi (JPN), with Bachlinger a further six points back. One large hill event next Saturday (October 25) in Klingenthal will decide the men’s Grand Prix title.

In the women’s Grand Prix, Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) leads after six podiums in eight events despite not yet winning. World champion and Crystal Globe holder Nika Prevc (SLO) sits 50 points behind; even if Prevc wins in Klingenthal, another podium for Maruyama would secure her the overall title.

Quotes: • Jan Hörl: “It’s wonderful to win at home… being on the podium with my mate Daniel makes it even more special.” • Philipp Raimund: “The landing could have been better… but I’m satisfied to go to Klingenthal in the yellow leader’s bib.”