BySportsbeat
Updated 06/01/2024 at 19:52 GMT
Ryoyu Kobayashi is now a member of a six-strong club of ski jumpers to have won the Four Hills tournament on three or more occasions, joining Kamil Stoch, Bjorn Wirkola and Helmut Recknagel on three wins. The 27-year-old wrapped up the overall title without winning a single stage, finishing second in all four events. Flying Finn Janne Ahonen has won it a record five times and Jens Weissflog four.
‘He is phenomenal’ – Kobayashi claims Golden Eagle trophy after second-placed finish
Ryoyu Kobayashi was crowned king of the Four Hills Tournament for the third time – without winning a single stage.
The Japanese made his name when, in 2019, he became the third ski jumper in history to sweep all four stages of the tournament. He won three of four stages in regaining his title in 2022.
This time, the 27-year-old got his hands on the Golden Eagle trophy without winning at Oberstdorf, Garmisch, Innsbruck or in the decisive finale at Bischofshofen.
Kobayashi finished second in all four events, rewarded for his consistency with victory in the 72nd edition of the Vierschanzentournee.
Kobayashi produced jumps of 137m and 139m to finish second on the night with a total of 287.6 points. That kept him clear of Andreas Wellinger, who won the opening stage at Oberstdorf, with 1145.2 points to the German’s 1120.7.
“I am happy,” Kobayashi told Eurosport. “Today was too many things happening, but I concentrated on jumping and was really satisfied.”
Victory on the day went to the form jumper in the world, home favourite Stefan Kraft of Austria. A massive 140m leap at the second attempt earned Kraft an emotional win, his 36th World Cup triumph, enough for third place overall too.
Kraft’s win bent the wider World Cup picture further in his favour. With six wins from 12 events this season, the 30-year-old has a commanding lead in the race for the overall title, sitting on 909 points, with Wellinger second on 697.
The World Cup tour now heads for its Polish swing, starting in six days’ time at Wisla. The highest Polish finisher in the Four Hills was Kamil Stoch, who came 15th.
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