High flying action

The German delegation at the week-long Four Hills Tournament got off to a good start - all seven competitors made it through qualification of the first event - but grabbing a spot on the podium in the ski-jumping festival will be like skiing into the wind.

The tournament, taking place for the 58th time, brings together the world's best ski jumpers for the highlight of Alpine skiing. The ski jumpers compete at four sites in Germany and Austria to usher in the new year, and the skier with the best combined results at the end of all four competitions is the winner.

Veteran competitor

While this year's favorites are Switzerland's Simon Ammann and Austria's Gregor Schlierenzauer, Germany's best chance at a medal will come from either Pascal Bodmer or Martin Schmitt - two skiers at opposite ends of their careers who may learn a thing or two from each other.

Schmitt is a well-known figure in the world of ski jumping. At the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in the United States, Schmitt took gold with the German K120 team and was the runner-up in last season's World Championships.

However, as Schmitt approaches his 32nd birthday in January, he admits that his sights are set a bit lower for the Four Hills Tournament.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not competing as one of the favorites," Schmitt told the German sports news agency SID. "Way up at the front it looks a little bleak [for him]."

Roomies

Although Schmitt might not be a medal contender, his presence at the Four Hills could rub off on one of his teammates.

Schmitt's roommate for the first competition in Obertsdorf is Pascal Bodmer, an up-and-comer on the German team and its best shot at a medal. Schmitt says the youngster, who turns 19 next week, is a very calm and collected roommate, especially before a competition.

"Normally before I compete I'm antsy and running around the room," Schmitt told the German news agency DPA. "But he's sitting in bed, totally calm, saying 'you've still got time.'"

This will be Bodmer's second Four Hills Tournament, and while his expectations are higher than the first time ("last year it was just important to be in the tournament"), he's still got to beat out the likes of Ammann and Schlierenzauer for a chance at a medal.

Competition from across the border

Switzerland's Ammann maintains an edge with three victories on the World Cup circuit this season already under his belt.

The two-time gold medalist from the 2002 Olympics is hoping to become the first Swiss winner of the Four Hills.

Last year, he came a disappointing eighth place in the third round of the Four Hills at Innsbruck, which ended his hopes of winning the prestigious title.

He'll face stiff competition from the much younger Schlierenzauer.

The 19-year-old Austrian ski jumper has already chalked up 26 World Cup wins. And he came third in last year's Four Hills event.

"I am in form, I'm in a hurry to take part in the Four Hills," Schlierenzauer said.

The Four Hills contest has a tradition of producing surprise winners. Last year, Austria's Wolfgang Loitzl clinched three victories and a second place to storm to Four Hills victory.

From Oberstdorf, the Four Hills Tournament moves on to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and then to the Austrian resorts of Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.

mz/sp/AFP/dpa

Editor: Chuck Penfold