Stefan Kraft propels Austria to team ski jumping victory in Zakopane, edging out Slovenia who lead standings

Stefan Kraft propelled Austria to victory in the first team ski jumping competition of the season in Zakopane.

The Austrian team, consisting of Michael Hayboeck, Manuel Fettner, Jan Hoerl and Kraft, finished on 1146.6 points in total to edge out second-placed Slovenia on 1095.5.

Kraft managed the highest-scoring jump of the day (163.1) with his second as Hayboeck’s effort from 142.5m also proved valuable.

Slovenia’s Lovro Kos, Anze Lanisek and Domen and Peter Prevc remain top of the PolSKI Tour standings by just 2.4 points, ahead of Sunday’s climax.

With Austria chasing, if Kraft finishes among the top three in the men’s individual tomorrow, he will have a record-breaking 109 podium finishes to his name.

The German team of Pius Paschke, Karl Geiger, Stephan Leyhe and Andreas Wellinger finished third with an overall score of 1062.8 points.

Prevc, the 18-year-old sensation who has burst onto the scene this season, started the weekend in style by winning Friday’s individual event and backed it up in the first super team competition of the campaign.