USA Nordic Four Hills Tournament Recap - Men's Ski Jumping

The FIS Men’s Ski Jumping Four Hills Tournament wrapped up earlier today, after making stops in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen, spanning from December 28th – January 6th.

Oberstdorf, Germany (December 28th – 29th)

The 72nd annual Four Hills Tournament kicked-off in Oberstdorf, Germany, on December 28th. Starting off with the HS137 Qualification, Tate Frantz was able to qualify in 25th, jumping to 124.0 meters for 123.1 points. Erik Belshaw was the final athlete to qualify from the United States, going 106.5 meters for 97.8 points, placing 49th overall. Andrew Urlaub and Casey Larson fell short of qualifying, with Urlaub coming in 55th (104.5 meters, 86.7 points) and Larson coming in 56th (100.5 meters, 81.5 points).

The HS137 World Cup in Oberstdorf on December 29th was a duel format, in which Frantz jumped against Piotr Zyla of Poland, and Belshaw jumped against Karl Geiger of Germany. Both Frantz and Belshaw were unable to best their opponents, as Belshaw finished in 31st (122.0 meters, 120.5 points) and Frantz finished in 49th (108.5 meters, 99.1 points).

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (December 31st – January 1st)

The Four Hills Tournament continued on December 31st in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, as athletes first took the hill for the HS142 Qualification. Frantz yet again had the highest qualification finish of the day, placing 32nd overall after carding a 122.5 meter jump for 114.7 points. Belshaw was right behind, as he qualified in 35th place, after putting together a 125.0 meter jump for 113.7 points. Larson and Urlaub were unable to qualify, with Larson placing 60th (115.0 meters, 97.9 points) and Urlaub placing 62nd (104.0 meters, 72.4 points).

The duel format continued in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the HS142 World Cup on January 1st, with Frantz jumping against Daniel Tschofenig of Austria, and Belshaw jumping against Lovro Kos of Slovenia. Frantz and Belshaw were unable to out-jump their opponents, with Belshaw coming in 36th (122.5 meters, 115.9 points) and Frantz coming in 50th (106.0 meters, 77.6 points).

Innsbruck, Austria (January 2nd – 3rd)

After the first two stops in Germany, the Four Hills Tournament then moved to Austria, as athletes took the hill for the HS128 Qualification in Innsbruck on January 2nd. Frantz recorded the highest qualification finish for the United States, placing 31st overall, as he went 114.5 meters for 95.2 points. Belshaw placed 46th, qualifying with a jump of 113.0 meters for 89.2 points. Larson and Urlaub finished outside of qualifying, with Urlaub placing 58th (100.5 meters, 71.3 points) and Larson placing 62nd (98.5 meters, 57.5 points).

Athletes then competed in another duel for the HS128 World Cup in Innsbruck on January 3rd, as Frantz matched up against Timi Zajc of Slovenia, with Belshaw matching up against Jan Hoerl of Austria. Both Frantz and Belshaw were unable to best their opponents, as Belshaw placed 38th (112.0 meters, 96.0 points) and Frantz finished in 44th (111.5 meters, 84.5 points).

Bischofshofen, Austria (January 5th – 6th)

The final stop in the 72nd annual Four Hills Tournament was Bischofshofen, Austria, with athletes taking the hill for the HS142 Qualification on January 5th. All three athletes who represented the United States were able to qualify, with Belshaw recording the highest finish of the day in 29th, jumping to 132.5 meters for 130.2 points. Frantz qualified in 35th, as he put together a 128.5 meter jump for 129.0 points. Urlaub closed things out in 47th, as he qualified for his first World Cup of the Four Hills Tournament, jumping to 127.0 meters for 117.9 points.

The final duel came on January 6th, as athletes competed in the final event of the Four Hills Tournament. During the HS142 World Cup, Belshaw was matched up against Daniel Huber from Austria, with Frantz taking on Michael Hayboeck from Austria, and Urlaub jumping against Norway’s Benjamin Oestvold. All three athletes were unable to best their opponents and qualify for the final round, with Belshaw finishing 41st overall (111.5 meters, 92.3 points), Frantz coming in 45th (108.5 meters, 84.5 points) and Andrew Urlaub right behind in 46th (110.0 meters, 84.4 points).