One of the most thrilling 4 Hills Tournament of the last years!

One of the most thrilling 4 Hills Tournament of the last years!

09/01/2014 11:38

What a wonderful 4 Hills -Tournament has been this one! This year’s 4HT began with three different athletes reaching the highest place of the podium, - in the last three competitions during this year's tournée-, from Simon Ammann, to Thomas Diethart and last but not least for importance, Anssi Koivuranta in the day of Saturday (04/01/2014), but only one have managed to win the tournée, Thomas Diethart.

Koivuranta writes history in skijumping!

Anssi Koivuranta - Photo credits Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly The finnish ski jumper was probably the one, that people didn't expected to see on top of the podium. Koivuranta, especially in Oberstdorf and Innsbruck has shown he had the guts to do well!

His victory in Innsbruck, it was also a victory for Finland, especially after the awful season the team have had the past year, with the injuries and the lack of good results. But slowly -also boosted with the presence of Janne Ahonen and the comeback (even if, not at his very best yet) of Janne Happonen,- Finland got their confidence back and started to do well again. Innsbruck’s race have also made it possible for Koivuranta to write history, becoming the first athlete to win both a ski jumping and nordic combined world cup race, and he did it in style, winning one of the most prestigious ski jumping competition of the season.

Everything has had to be decided in Bischofshofen!

Everything has had to be decided in Bischofshofen in the last competition of the 62nd edition of the 4 Hills -Tournament. In Sunday (05/01/2014) men qualification, Slovenian Peter Prevc was the man of the day, winning the qualifications, finishing ahead of Thomas Diethart and Anders Jacobsen.

Three athletes were divided by a short points difference, with the newcomer Thomas Diethart - quickly became the favorite for the title-, leading the group, but would it be the young austrian to conquer this year’s tournée, or the four times Olympic champion Simon Ammann, or maybe Thomas Morgenstern, which despite the awful fell he suffered in Titisee-Neustadt has fought back like a true fighter? That was the question, that everybody were asking to themselves, on Monday afternoon!

Thomas Diethart wins the 62nd 4 Hills - Tournament edition!

Newcomer ThomasDiethart is the new 4 Hills champion for this year: Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly Thomas Diethart’s dream to win the 62nd 4 Hills - Tournament edition come true, in fact the 23 year-old has stunned everybody at this year 4 Hills, and won it in style, extending the streak of Austrians victorious in the tour. The young austrian, has achieved his very best career result so far, succeeding at the last year winner, Gregor Schlierenzauer. Since his very first appearance in this year’s tournée, Diethart has shown, not just to be in an incredible form, but also to be a very tough opponent to beat.

Dream is over for Simon Ammann:

He said it clear, that for this year what he wanted more, was the 4 Hill - Tournament's title, but unfortunately for Simon Ammann, it didn't go as planned. Simi, in his career has won everything, - or almost everything- from the Olympic medals, WC title, SFWC title, SGP, but not the #4HT. Winning this year's tournée would have been the top of his already tremendous career. Thomas Morgenstern, a true fighter:

Thomas Morgenstern, at this year tournée: Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

Thomas Morgenstern have fought his way back to the hills very quickly, after the fell in Titisee, all in order to be able to compete at this year tournée. The 27 year old, which last year struggled a lot in terms of results, this year he seems to be back at his best level, and fighting with another in top form, Kamil Stoch – 7th in the 4 Hills table- for the overall WC title.

Noriaki Kasai: Age is just a number!

Noriaki Kasai, age is just a number for the japanese! Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

What else to say about this man, that we haven't said yet this season about the japanese ski jumper? At 41 he should be retired already, instead he still out there, and he showing to this sport, that he still has a lot to give, and probably thanks to his performances, he also teach to the young ski jumpers, which aspire to have a long career as his. Kasai has ended the tournée at the 5th place of the table, not bad for someone of his “age”.

Bardal the best amongst the Norwegian's. Anders Bardal has once again, given prove to be the main man for Alexander Stöckl team, ending the tour at the 6th place, while Anders Jacobsen, -which is slowly finding his condition, after the knee injury he suffered at the end of the past season,- has had a not such a bad tournée ending at the 13th place of the table.

What's the matter Tom? The same thing cannot be said for Tom Hilde, the norwegian hasn't yet shown the best of him, showing instead a poor condition. Might, his long distance relationship with Sarah Hendrickson taking away from him all his concentration? Judging by his lately performances, a Tom Hilde like this might end to watch the Olympics on TV at his home, rather than trying to win a medal in #Sochi next month.

Slovenian Peter Prevc, the best amongst his team mates:

Peter Prevc at this year 4 Hills tournament! Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

Peter Prevc has closed the #4HT at the 4th place of the table, proving his form from the past season, when he won a silver medal at the #NWSC in Predazzo from the LH. His jumping during this year tournée have always been very clean, and prolific for the 21 year –old. Consuelo Conte [@KokkaMufc] You can follow us on our Facebook page as well as on Twitter! But since we know you also like taking a look at the various photos we started also an Instagram account, so don’t miss your chance to stay up to date with us! On another note, we would like to remind to all the fans that from this summer and winter season we will have contests where you have the chance to win flyers signed by your favorite ski jumper, we started with #GregorSchlierenzauer#TomHilde#JernejDamjan and plenty more, so always keep an eye, you might be the next winner!