How the ÖSV-Nordisches want to outdo the ski stars

Hardly anything speaks against the Austrian High -flyer and series winnerexcept maybe: the mandatory medals are often the most difficult medals.

The ÖSV eagles traveled on Wednesday 39 podium and the Triple management in the World Cup (Daniel Tschofenig, Jan Hörl, Stefan Kraft) to Trondheim – expectations are as enormous as the fall height after the demonstration of power this winter.

At the World Cup general rehearsal in Sapporo, no Austrian had recently ended up on the podium for the second time in the 23 season jumping. “The field is closer together,” provides Head coach Andreas Widhölzl fest.

The big plus of the Austrians: In contrast to the last major events, in which Stefan Kraft was mostly the only hope of hope The responsibility is now distributed over several shoulders – This reduces the pressure and increases the medal opportunities. In the team competition, gold is on the serving plate for the ÖSV eagles.

Favorites are others, such as the Slovenian Nika Prevc, who flew in the last six World Cup jumping in other spheres. However, the ÖSV jumpers are in touch with the medals.

Lisa Eder, Eva Pinkelnig and Jacqueline Seifriedsberger Already on the Stockerl this season, the 36-year-old Pinkelnig made the only win this winter in Villach.

Ideally, this unity should be in Team competition After 2019 (silver), 2021 (gold) and 2023 (silver) for another medal. The signs are also very good in the mixed team competition (2 women and men each).

A Small question mark hovers over team leader Eva Pinkelnig. The 36-year-old Vorarlberg woman is not so easy to ski jumping this winter, in January she even played with the idea of ​​ending the season prematurely.

Easy to imagine that the Overall World Cup winner from 2022/23 have added the bankruptcy of their head sponsor (Palmers) and the associated background noises, discussions and side effects.

• Nordic combination, gentlemen

Five Austrians are in the top twelve in the overall World Cup, but mass does not necessarily mean great. Only Johannes Lamparter Has already made it onto the podium this winter, the double world champion from 2021 was able to register in the winner’s list in Schonach.

“The level has never been so high, it is extremely tight,” says the 23-year-old Tyrolean, who is a real World Cup specialist and already has six medals.

The biggest hope is besides lamparter Stefan Rightsthe strong cross -country skier from the Pongau was up to do this season.

Mandatory medal in the team

While there will be a griss to the top 3 in the two individual races, a medal is mandatory for the ÖSV combiners in the team competition. Because only Germany, Norway and Austria provide a competitive quartet.

Also because of the lack of sporty density, Trondheim is the Farewell performance for this competition. In the 2026 winter games, the season is replaced by a team sprint (2 athletes).

• Nordic combination, women

With a third place in Lillehammer, the start of the season was for Lisa Hirner promising, but health problems Thrown the best ÖSV combinator from the track. At the home world cups in Ramsau and Seefeld, the Styrian even had to give somewhere.

A pot in Lisa Hirner would have over 5 kilometers in the opening competition on Thursday (with mass start), but after the messed up preparation the question arises: Can Hirner keep up with the fastest in the trail?

On Wednesday, the 21-year-old presented himself strongly on the hill and landed twice in the top 3.. Also in the mixed competition (2 women and men each), it will be difficult with a podium.

Who would have thought that after all the scandals and setbacks this millennium: Austria has a justified medal hope for women and men.

Teresa Stadlober and Mika Vermeulen have impressively demonstrated in the past winters that they are more than just a fellow runner and that the Norwegian dominators can annoy a little.

Half of Norwegian Vermeulen – the Styrian has lived and trained in Lillehammer for years – was this season Stem guest in the top ten And showed 2nd place on the Tour de Ski. Teresa Stadlober even ran on the podium twice this year. At the World Cup, the duo in the skiathlon and the 50-kilometer marathon can be trusted.