Sven Hannawald on ski jumping: “Until the last one realises the cheating is over”

Halftime at the Four Hills Tournament. With Domen Prevc the clear favorite far ahead, with Felix Hoffmann and Philipp Raimund two German jumpers having strong chances for the podium, and Timi Zajc causing a stir with two disqualifications, ARD ski-jumping expert Sven Hannawald draws an interim balance ahead of the Innsbruck competitions.

Hannawald highlights how dominant Prevc has been, leading by roughly 20 meters over second-placed Jan Hörl and more than 25 meters over Felix Hoffmann after the German events. He says such a lead at tour midway is unprecedented since Janne Ahonen's 2004/05 performance, and calls Prevc the likely winner despite the small risk of a bad jump.

On the source of Prevc's advantage Hannawald points to the athlete's exceptional ankle mobility and a very loose heel in the boot that lets him bring the skis extremely close to the body and adjust the suit area for more efficient flight. He recounts an anecdote that Prevc ties his shoes loosely “like sneakers,” a habit he has used for a long time and feels safe with.

About Germany’s top duo Hannawald says Felix Hoffmann (fourth overall) and Philipp Raimund (sixth) are in pursuit and must deliver in Innsbruck’s Bergisel, a hill where German hopes have failed before. He notes Raimund seemed unsatisfied in Garmisch while Hoffmann is learning to handle the added attention and pressure; if they remain calm and perform, Hannawald believes a podium finish is possible.

Hannawald names other podium candidates — Ryoyu Kobayashi, Austria’s Jan Hörl and Stephan Embacher — and stresses that although Prevc seems set for victory, the remaining podium places are still open. He explains Kobayashi has tested a new ski because his World Cup ski is not eligible for the Olympics, which has introduced uncertainty into his performance.

On Timi Zajc’s disqualifications Hannawald is blunt. Zajc was disqualified at both opening events for suits that did not meet the regulations. Hannawald criticises Zajc’s apparent flippant reaction on social media and calls for strict enforcement by the FIS: “They must keep throwing people out until the last one realises cheating is over.” He says the stronger enforcement should deter athletes who gamble with illegal suits and risk suspensions that would keep them out of many World Cups.

Hannawald’s interview thus combines technical observations about jumping technique and equipment with a call for firm rule enforcement as the Four Hills Tournament moves to Innsbruck and on to the Austrian venues.