These are the top favorites of the Four Hills Tournament

RYOYU KOBAYASHI: There's no getting around the 23-year-old again. Unlike last winter, Kobayashi is no longer celebrating one victory after another. But he doesn't really have any misfires either. His worst placements in the World Cup so far were two sixth places in Ruka and Nizhny Tagil. He won in Klingenthal and at the tour dress rehearsal in Engelberg.

KARL GEIGER: The quiet Oberstdorfer is the greatest hope of the German Ski Association (DSV). Unlike last year's second place on the tour, Markus Eisenbichler, and third place, Stephan Leyhe, Geiger is consistently jumping at a very high level this season and is in third place in the overall World Cup. Even if he hasn't won any World Cup competitions this winter, the 26-year-old will be a force to be reckoned with. “I’m proud that I’m one of the favorites,” says Geiger. “I’ll step on the gas and then we’ll see.”

STEFAN KRAFT: The Austrian had to digest a little moment of shock shortly before Christmas. Kraft fell after his jump in the second round from Engelberg, but immediately got back up. The 26-year-old is already an experienced ski jumper and could benefit from his great experience, especially on the tour, where strong nerves are extremely important. This winter he landed on the podium three times in individual competitions - once at the top and twice he came second. When it comes to the home straight, the Austrian, who won the tournament once in 2015, also has a home advantage.

PHILIPP Aschenwald: This also applies to his compatriot Philipp Aschenwald. The 24-year-old is perhaps the biggest surprise of the season so far at the top of the World Cup. He came second once and third once. If he consistently delivers his top performances, he can really annoy the established ones.

KAMIL STOCH: The Pole knows what is important on the tour. He won the ski jump spectacle in 2017 and 2018 - with today's DSV coach Horngacher at his side. When he won the World Cup in Switzerland three days before Christmas, he showed that he is getting better and better. Traditionally, the 32-year-old and the other Polish jumpers are cheered on at the jumps by numerous fellow countrymen who are crazy about ski jumping.

DANIEL ANDRE TANDE, ROBERT JOHANSSON, MARIUS LINDVIK: “We have a few athletes who are doing well,” says Norwegian national coach Alexander Stöckl – he’s right. In Tande, who won twice at the start of the season but then ran into problems, Johansson and Lindvik, he has three jumpers who are always good for a win. Johann Andre Forfang also has a chance of causing a surprise. Similar to Horngacher, Stöckl is also expecting an exciting and tight tour. “I believe that it takes until the last jump and that something can still happen. That’s my hope.”

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These are the top favorites of the Four Hills Tournament

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