In a spectacle that could only be rivaled by a soaring eagle, Andreas Wellinger, the DSV jumper with wings of steel, has clinched the top spot in the qualification for the opening jump of the 72nd Four Hills Tour in Oberstdorf. With a gravity-defying leap spanning 135 meters, Wellinger has set the stage for what promises to be a feather-ruffling Four Hills Tour competition.

As the dust settles (or snow, in this case) from Wellinger’s triumphant flight, it’s evident that the hunt for the golden eagle is officially on! The 28-year-old maestro outshone his teammate Karl Geiger, who soared to an impressive 134 meters, and the Slovenian sensation Peter Prevc, who notched up 138 meters.

The German dream start doesn’t end with Wellinger; it’s a symphony of high-flying excellence. Philipp Raimund, at a sprightly 23, secures the fourth position with a jump of 134 meters, painting a picture of youthful exuberance against the record backdrop of over 16,000 spectators. Pius Paschke, aged 33 and still defying gravity at 132 meters, gracefully lands in the 9th spot, while Stephan Leyhe, at 31, claims the twelfth position with a jump of equal distance.

With all five German jumpers earning their wings in Four Hills Tour, Friday’s opening jump (scheduled for 5.15 p.m. on ARD and Eurosport) promises a spectacle that fans have been eagerly waiting for since the days of Sven Hannawald’s victory in 2002. Can the Germans clinch the top spot once again? The anticipation is as palpable as the snow beneath the skis.

National coach Stefan Horngacher, the maestro behind the scenes, doesn’t hold back his enthusiasm after the qualifying round in the “ARD”: “That was a great warm-up. The results were super good. We can improve something else. We have to stay on the push. But that’s good for the start.” If a great warm-up includes Wellinger’s gravity-defying performance, we can’t wait for the main event.

Wellinger, Geiger, and Paschke—names now etched in the annals of Four Hills Tournament glory—confirm their strong previous performances in the qualifying, cementing their positions as favorites for the season highlight around the turn of the year. Raimund, the youthful contender, shares his eagerness for the upcoming jump: “I tried to get a feel for the jump in training. I’m all the more looking forward to tomorrow, but today is already a great backdrop.” Leyhe, ever the optimist, adds, “The conditions always change a bit. But the jump is in great shape, it’s fun to jump.” Clearly, these eagles are ready to spread their wings and leave the competition trailing in their snowy wake.

In an unexpected twist, the Austrian Stefan Kraft, despite landing “only” in 7th place with 131 meters, remains the top favorite. Having secured victories in five of the eight individual World Cups and gracing the podium in two more jumps, Kraft is the one to watch. Will he rise like a phoenix from the middle of the pack?

The DSV eagles have aced the first mandatory task with flying colors. Now, as they prepare for the jump on Friday, this performance must not be a one-time spectacle; it demands an encore. In the first round, they’ll engage in k.o. duels, adding a touch of drama to the already electrifying event.

Wellinger faces off against the Quali’s last Kasperi Valto from Finland, Geiger squares up against the American Erik Belshaw, Raimund takes on Niko Kytösaho from Finland, Paschke challenges Junshirō Kobayashi from Japan, and Leyhe locks horns with the Polish Aleksander Zniszczoł. The stage is set for a clash of titans, and the snow will bear witness to a battle that transcends borders.

So, as we gear up for the main event on Friday, the question echoes in the crisp winter air: Can Wellinger maintain his gravity-defying form, or will a new eagle emerge to claim the skies? Only time—and a snowy slope in Oberstdorf—will tell. The Four Hills Tournament has officially taken flight, and the eagles are ready to soar.