December 26, 2008 (Oberstdorf, Germany) – In just a few days it’s time for the traditional Ski Jumping season highlight: the 57th International Jack Wolfskin Four-Hills-Tournament will begin in Oberstdorf (Ger) on December 29, followed by the New Year’s jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Ger) on January 1, 2009, before the events in Innsbruck on January 4 and Bischofshofen (both Aut) on January 6, 2009. While the duel between Simon Ammann and Gregor Schlierenzauer is expected to continue, the Tournament has often seen the emergence of completely new names in the top positions.
Thanks to the early winter weather at the Tournament sites, this year’s Four-Hills was confirmed earlier than ever before. “It was already in early December that we could go ahead and confirm the event,” notes Tournament President Claus-Peter Horle (Oberstdorf). This was thanks to the cold temperatures at night that allowed early snow production which also weathered the warm fronts passing over the German and Austrian Alps just before the Holidays.
Traditionally the winner of the Four-Hills-Tournament receives a car as prize for the overall victory. This year the winner will receive a brand-new Subaru Forester along with the cash prizes for World Cup event winners.
In spite of robust pre-sales figures, tickets are still available directly at the venues for most of the four competitions. A service called Print@home even allows spectators to print their tickets at home before starting the journey to the hill. Special guests at the Four-Hills are expected from China as the organizers of the 24th Winter Universiade in Harbin will be visiting Oberstdorf as a study group collecting practical ideas and guidance. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the organizers are pleased to welcome a special VIP guest in Matthias Steiner, Olympic gold medalist in weightlifting and newly-announced German Athlete of the Year.