Hoerl combats conditions to claim sublime World Cup win

Jan Hoerl (AUT) showed the greatest composure and consistency, in challenging conditions, to claim a highly impressive victory in the second individual Ski Jumping World Cup event of the 2024/25 season in Lillehammer, Norway.

Hoerl, who won gold at the 2023 European Games, had topped the standings in qualifying for the World Cup action, but was in second after the first round of the World Cup contest.

The 26-year-old had trailed 2023/24 crystal globe winner Stefan Kraft (AUT) by just 0.6 points though and a strong second leap from Hoerl, combined with a below-par effort from his team-mate, was enough to ensure he claimed victory, with a total score of 285.3. 

Pius Paschke (GER) continued his brilliant race weekend with a third successive podium finish, following up victories in the Mixed Team on Friday and in the first individual World Cup event 24-hours later, with a strong second (277.8).

Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) completed the top-three (273.8), claiming what was just the sixth World Cup podium finish of his career.

After the Lillehammer Large Hill double-header Paschke (GER) leads the overall World Cup standings with 180 points.

Hoerl (AUT) is second (145) and Tschofenig (AUT) third (140).

With heavy snowfall overnight predicted to continue throughout Sunday, men’s qualification had been brought forward from the afternoon to the morning. 

Jan Hoerl (AUT) topped those standings, as he did 24 hours earlier ahead of the first individual World Cup in Lillehammer, but then he went on to finish fifth, this time he was targeting much more.

The expected increase in wind did not arrive, but the snowfall continued to thicken and the decision to start athletes from a low gate, in part for safety due to low visibility and a soft-landing area, resulted in the first athletes struggling to hit their usual heights.

Just three of the first 20 in the field cleared 120m.

Timi Zajc (SLO) was one of those who did (126m) and became the first to officially secure his place in the top 30, thus ensure he would return for a second jump.

As expected, once the competition progressed and the higher-ranked athletes took to the hill, the performance level rose.

The first to clear 130m was Manuel Fettner (AUT) who recorded a jump of 132.5m, but emerging talent Tate Frantz (USA) went ahead with a slightly better total score and he would be just 12.5 points off the leader at the end of the opening round of jumps.

Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) celebrated an impressive effort, particularly given the snowfall, with 132.3 points, for fifth. 

Pius Paschke (GER), who produced a sublime performance to win the opening individual World Cup on the season on Saturday, nudged into fourth, just 2.4 off the leader.

Ahead, fellow WC1 podium finisher Daniel Tschoenig (AUT) propped up an all Austrian top-three with Hoerl (AUT) in second.

2023/24 crystal globe winner Kraft (AUT) topped the standings after the first jump, as he did on Saturday, following a leap of 139m, which scored 141.4.

Because of the conditions FIS race officials granted athletes permission to change suits for the second jump, which featured the top-30 athletes from the first round.

Andreas Wellinger (GER) – a four time-time Olympic medallist – perhaps benefitted the most and jumped up three places to seventh, although he is still short of his best form.

As in the first round the top-10 athletes significantly raised the standard of the competition and the excitement built accordingly for the fans watching from the bottom of the hill.

Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (NOR) and Deschwanden (SUI) hit distances of 125.1 and 127.4 respectively to round off strong contests, but the podium places would go to three of the top for from the opening round.

Paschke (GER) was the first go and a brilliant jump, which cleared 136m, helped him to a combined points total of 277.8 and put him well-clear at the top. 

So far clear, that not even an impressive 135m jump, from Tschofenig (AUT) would put him close, although the Austrian did guarantee himself a place to the podium.

Hoerl (AUT) finally found his consistency and recorded the longest jump of the day – measured at 139.5m – which gave him an overall points total of 285.3.

The only man who could deny him victory was the 2023/24 crystal globe winner Kraft (AUT), but for the second time in as many days, he failed to maintain his form throughout both rounds.

A leap of 133.5m, saw him drop down the rankings and finish fourth, the same result as he achieved in the opening contest on Saturday and victory went to Hoerl (AUT).

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The men's field will now reconvene in a matter of days at the second World Cup venue of the 2024/25 venue, in Ruka, Finland.

That competition, which takes place from 29 November to 1 December, will feature two Large Hill World Cup events.

29.11.2024
14:45 – Training
18:00 – QUA Men’s LH
30.11.2024
17:00 – Start Trial Round - WC Men LH
18:00 – Competition start - WC Men LH
01.12.2024
14:45 – QUA - WC Men LH
16:15 – Competition start - WC Men LH
All times listed are EET (Eastern European Time).