The traditional Four Hills Tournament, which began in 1953, kicks off tomorrow in Oberstdorf, Germany. The world’s best ski jumpers will compete for the huge winged trophy which comes with the title of Four Hills Champion. The tournament boasts eight competitions over ten days at four different ski jumps across Germany and Austria.
Representing USA Nordic at this years Four Hills Tournament will be Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, Ill) and Casey Larson (Barrington, Ill). Bickner is coming off his best result of the season placing 22nd in last weekend’s World Cup. This will be Bickner’s fifth Four Hills Tournament so he is confident with his experience. “My goal is to build off last weekend and keep my progress steady,” says Bickner.
For Larson, this will be his first complete tour as he only competed in Garmisch and Innsbruck last year. “It’s a great tournament on four classic ski jumps that all are distinct and have some character,” says Larson. When asked which hill is his favorite, “I think Innsbruck might be my favorite of the hills because it’s where the craziest competitions usually happen.”
The knockout qualification format is a trait which makes Four Hills unique. Instead of the best 30 jumpers qualifying for the second round, 50 athletes are put into 25 head to head competitions in the first round. The winner of each head to head competition goes to the next round with five lucky losers moving on to the second round as well. As Larson puts it, “This is the only knockout format during the season which can create some amazing situations.”
HOW TO WATCH This Weekend
All times EST
Saturday Dec. 28
10:20 a.m. – Men’s Large Hill Qualifying, Oberstdorf, GER – OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
Sunday Dec 29th
11:20 a.m. – Men’s Large Hill Four Hills Tourney, Oberstdorf, GER – OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
8:00 p.m. – Television replay on the Olympic Channel
Full Tournament Schedule
Oberstdorf Large Hill, Dec 28
Oberstdorf Large Hill, Dec 29
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Dec 31
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Jan 1
Innsbruck Jan 3
Innsbruck Jan 4
Bischofshofen Jan 5
Bischofshofen Jan 6
