Soaring to Glory: Prevc's Dominance and Zajc's Setbacks at Four Hills
Prevc's Stellar Performance at Garmisch-Partenkirchen
World Cup leader Domen Prevc showcased exceptional skill and precision at the large hill event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. His remarkable jumps, measuring 143 meters and 141 meters, culminated in an impressive total score of 303.1 points, securing him a decisive victory. This win marks his second consecutive triumph in the Four Hills Tournament, highlighting his consistent top-tier performance.
Austrian Rivals on the Podium
The competition saw strong performances from Austrian athletes. Jan Hörl clinched second place, trailing Prevc by 15.4 points, demonstrating his formidable talent. His teammate, Stephan Embacher, secured the third position on the podium. Embacher had previously set a new hill record in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the qualification round, with an extraordinary jump of 145.5 meters, underscoring the high level of competition.
Pursuing a Historic Grand Slam
Prevc now stands on the cusp of a remarkable achievement: becoming only the fourth ski jumper in history to win all four events of the Four Hills Tournament. This exclusive club includes legends such as Germany's Sven Hannawald, Poland's Kamil Stoch, and Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi. His current form suggests that this rare feat is well within his reach as the tournament progresses. The next leg of the competition is scheduled to take place in Innsbruck, Austria, on Sunday.
Timi Zajc's Unfortunate Disqualifications
In contrast to Prevc's success, his Slovenian teammate, Timi Zajc, faced a series of unfortunate events. Zajc was disqualified for the second time in the tournament due to a minor but critical irregularity with his suit. Officials determined that his suit deviated from the standard by four millimeters, leading to a red card before his first jump. This repeated infraction, which also occurred in the tournament's opening stop in Oberstdorf, has been a source of frustration for the athlete and observers alike, as noted by German ski jumper Karl Geiger, who expressed sympathy for Zajc's predicament.