Kobayashi gets the tour - Insam shows again

Ryoyu Kobayashi won the Four Hills Ski Jumping Tournament for the third time and once again prevented a German triumph.

06 January 2024

From: apa/sportnews

The 27-year-old Japanese defended his top spot in the overall rankings on Saturday in Bischofshofen against the German Andreas Wellinger. Kobayashi had already won the tour in 2019 and 2022.

With his third title, the exceptional athlete from Asia drew level with, among others, Kamil Stoch from Poland and the former GDR jumper Helmut Recknagel. Only Janne Ahonen (five titles) and Jens Weißflog (four) have won the tour more often. It was also Ahonen who last won the overall ranking without a stage win in 1999, and now Kobayashi repeated this rare feat.

The fourth and final competition on Epiphany Day was won by Stefan Kraft from Austria ahead of Kobayashi and Anze Lanisek from Slovenia in front of 14.300 spectators. The 28-year-old Olympic champion Wellinger, who came fifth in Bischofshofen, defended second place overall after a strong tour.

Alex Insam made it into the points again.

Of the Italian team, only Alex Insam was able to qualify for the final competition. The 26-year-old from Val Gardena once again made a clear mark in 23rd place, rounding off a Four Hills Tournament that was more than satisfactory for him.