Eisenbichler triggers high hopes

With a jump of 138 meters, Germany's Markus Eisenbichler won qualification for the New Year's competition of the Four Hills Tournament.

After a sixth-placed finish on Friday, Eisenbichler has now thrown himself into the running to win the overall tournament for the first time in his career. The Bavarian will come up against Poland's Kamil Stoch, who skipped training in Garmisch-Partenkirchen after coming second yesterday.

"Today I'm very satisfied, the feeling during the jump was not that good, but it worked well," he said on the International Ski Federation's official website. "I can be really satisfied with it today. Tomorrow I just have to jump normally again and then I'll see the result later. I don't think about a podium finish in the competition tomorrow, others shall worry about that."

Nine of Germany's 12 competitors qualified for the New Year's event. Stephan Leyhe recorded a jump of 134.5 meters and finished in ninth place. Richard Freitag and Severin Freund, current German record holder, took 12th and 20th respectively. Felix Hoffmann, Johannes Schubert and Marinus Kraus didn't make the cut.

There are two more events to come after Sunday in Innsbruck before the tournament concludes on January 6 in Bischofshofen.