Oberstdorf (Dagbladet): From the top of the Schattenbergbaken in Oberstdorf, you don't see much snow.
But in the runoff, all is well. There is a beautiful sole with artificial and natural snow. Thus, the 72nd edition of the German-Austrian Hoboka can begin.
The qualifiers start on Thursday. Friday at 17.15 there is a race. Hoppuka then moves to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.
Norwegian Record: Sigurd Pettersen holds the hill record at Schattenbergbakken in Oberstdorf. It is 143.5 meters high and was laid in 2003. Photo: Tore Ulrike Bratland
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– We are ready, German press director Ingo Jensen confirms to Dagbladet. But – as he says:
– In Bischoffshoven, work was hell.
Jensen points to the avalanche that occurred on Paul Osserleitner's famous slope just before Christmas. Rain on top of heavy snowfall led to avalanches on Jump Week Hill.
Press director: Ingo Jensen. Photo: Tore Ulrike Bratland
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Result: The snow net disintegrated. And all the snow fell.
-They received help from Klingenthal. With the help of a snow net from there, the work was great. “They are ready,” Jensen tells Dagbladet.
Drama: Before Christmas, a snow net tore up the ground in Bischofshofen. But now it is fixed. Photo: Ben Norsic
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In Germany there is jumping fever. Tickets for the race in Oberstdorf were sold out on Friday – that's 25,500 spectators. There will also be good people to qualify on Thursday. Jensen is hoping for more than 16,000 spectators to attend.
German fever returns to a good start in the World Cup. Stefan Kraft from Austria drives. Then followed by the German trio Andreas Fellinger, Pius Paschke and Karl Geiger.
The last time Germany won the Hoboka race was at the Sven Hannawald in 2002. “Now is the time to do it again,” say the Germans in Oberstdorf.
Surprise: Veteran Pius Paschke has been mentioned as one of the favorites to win the Hoboka race. Image: NTP
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Norway coach Alexander Stockel did not announce the candidates.
– there are many. There are Germans, Austrians and maybe a Norwegian or two, Stockel tells Dagbladet.
In Germany, there are rumors that veteran Pius Paschke could go and win it all. At the age of 33, he has been impressive this season. Before Christmas he won his first World Cup race. It happened in Engelberg, Switzerland.
– Towards the end of his career, that's pretty impressive. Stockl points out that he is one of the candidates in Hopoka.
Crowded: Large crowds gathered in Oberstdorf Square on Wednesday evening. They came to see the official opening of Hoboka. Photo: Tore Ulrike Bratland
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He was with the Norwegian team that was presented at Oberstdorf Arena on Wednesday evening. Unusually large crowds gathered.
It's an expensive time in Germany too. But Hoboka clearly selects several thousand people to spend money on.
Reigning Champion: Halvor Aegner Granerud lowers his expectations for himself. Here he is in his place in Oberstdorf on Wednesday evening. Photo: Tore Ulrike Bratland
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Halvor Aegner Granerud is the current champion. In response to Dagbladet’s question – whether he was among the candidates this year – he replied:
– no IAM not like that.
– Why not?
– comes as a result of results that emerged earlier this winter. For me, it wasn't very cool. “I don't place myself among the biggest companies,” says Granerud.
Dramatic encounter: – Painful
Norsk Tipping gives Stefan Kraft the lowest odds of winning in Hoppuka. The odds are 1.55.
Granerud returns the money 20 times.
Also jumping to Norway: Marius Lindvik, Johan Andre Forfang, Daniel Andre Tandy, Christopher Eriksen Sundahl and Benjamin Ostvold.
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