Domen Prevc Dominates Garmisch-Partenkirchen Qualification as Italian Ski Jumpers Face Uphill Battle
The Slovenian ski jumper, Domen Prevc, continued his impressive form, securing first place in the qualification round for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen leg of the 4 Hills Tour 2025-2026. The event, held on Thursday, December 26th, saw Prevc leap to victory with a score of 150.6, setting the stage for a competitive race tomorrow.
The Four Hills Tour, a prestigious event spanning Germany and Austria, currently sees Prevc as the clear frontrunner after two of eight jumps. He holds a commanding 17.4-point lead over the second-place competitor, despite a disqualification in Oberstdorf.
Today’s qualification round saw a strong showing from Austrian jumpers, with Jan Hoerl finishing second (-4.4 points) and Stefan Embacher securing third place (-7.4 points). Nikaido Ren briefly challenged Austrian dominance, claiming third before being overtaken.
The Italian team, comprised of Alex Insam and Giovanni Bresadola, faced a challenging day. Insam finished 52nd with a score of -47.8, while Bresadola lagged further behind at -53.3. “Insam and Bresadola will start with 25 and 27,” a commentator noted, highlighting their less-than-ideal starting positions. Insam currently sits as the second of those eliminated, facing a steep climb to qualify for the next round.
The competition was marked by fluctuating wind conditions, prompting officials to lower the starting pole from 15 to 13. This adjustment favored later jumpers, as evidenced by Embacher’s impressive leap of 145.5 meters. Manuel Fettner also capitalized on the improved conditions, achieving a score of 142.5.
Several notable events unfolded during the qualification. Granerud was disqualified, while Tschofenig qualified despite unfavorable wind conditions, albeit starting from the back of the KO system. Stoch delivered the longest jump of the day at 134.0 meters, though gentler wind conditions played a role in his score.
The qualification also saw a new trampoline record set, and several athletes battled for a place in the top 50. Kobayashi secured a 10th-place finish with a score of 131, while other competitors like Lanisek and Raimund also posted strong results.
As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on Domen Prevc to see if he can maintain his lead and solidify his position as the favorite in the 4 Hills Tour. The men’s race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is scheduled for tomorrow, promising another thrilling day of ski jumping action.
