Kraft: From nowhere man to top of the stand
January 6, 2015
"I always knew that I would win it eventually," said Stefan Kraft, Austria's new winter sports superstar. With his surprising overall victory at the 63rd Four Hills tournament, the 21-year-old ski jumper stole the show. Nobody predicted his victory. Gregor Schlierenzauer, Andreas Kofler and Thomas Diethart were all part of team Austria - a country that has produced the last seven winners at the tournament - but it was Kraft who came out on top.
"He's a tournament hero," said team coach Heinz Kuttin. With his first ever World Cup win on the opening day in Oberstdorf, he put himself on the road to victory and never looked back. Kraft secured the Golden Eagle trophy in Bischofshofen having never surrendered top spot.
Perhaps it was no surprise to see Kraft win at the Paul-Ausserleitner jump. After all, he only lives five minutes away. Then again, whenever the youngster is home, he can never stay too long. "It's too dull," he said. A day at home is impossible. He's an outdoors man who enjoys a ski or a mountain climb. "I'm an active lad. I've got a good heart who laughs a lot," said Kraft of his character.
Bayern fan from a young age
The high flyer lost his footballing heart in Germany not Austria though. "I'm a Bayern fan through and through. My uncle and my aunt have had season tickets for 15 years and I always went with them as a little boy. I grew up with it," said Kraft. As often as he can, Kraft travels to the stadium and watches his football heroes.
The slender Kraft was an unknown before the tournament. That looks set to change. Kraft has joined an elite group, stepping into the footsteps of his teammate Thomas Diethart, who also came out of nowhere to win last year. The 2015 tournament was a different story for the 22-year-old though, as he failed to defend his title. In fact, Diethart was nowhere near the top spots.
"The flying double"
Kraft is keen to avoid the same fate. His roommate, and tournament runner-up, Michael Hayboeck could help. The 'flying double', the pair's nickname, mixed it with the best in the world over the last few days.
"Kraft and Hayboeck have used their friendship to push their performances. They're both inspired by the standings," wrote former tournament winner Thomas Morgenstern in Austria newspaper the Salzburger Nachrichten.
Kraft and Hayboeck have a marvelous understanding. Only when it comes to football have the pair not seen eye-to-eye. Hayboeck is a Barcelona fan.
jh/asz (sid)