Delayed start to the 69th Four Hills Tournament 2020/2021

The kick-off to the Four Hills Tournament has been achieved! The jumping in Oberstdorf traditionally marks the first season highlight for the ski jumpers, the Tournee, as well. At the same time, it is also the last jump of this year. A year that was truly demanding and challenged us all with unforeseen obstacles. What the Polish team experienced shortly before the Tournee opener was undoubtedly such a big challenge. Especially for the nerves of the athletes and the Polish fans. Thank God it ultimately ended on a negative-positive note. When I watched the competitions on TV, I already had my say and wondered how it could be that one tests positive and immediately afterwards tests negative. 

But it turned out to be faster than one would think a few hours later. My team, two staff members who were supposed to secure the track service in Garmisch, tested positive in the mandatory PCR test that must be presented before every FIS event. With the Polish national team’s history in mind, I immediately set all gears in motion and arranged a second test right away. And lo and behold - both staff tests were negative! To confirm the result once more, another PCR test was done within 24 hours – again negative. This puts the Polish team’s story in a completely different light and it seems that in the, forgive my expression, “PCR roulette,” you simply need a bit of luck. I can’t explain it any other way. 

Due to all the testing, we are unfortunately unable to meet the required deadlines for Partenkirchen. Therefore, we will unfortunately be missing the New Year’s jump this time. We will, however, do our best to assist Schanzenchef Thomas Scheck from afar with advice and action and stay in permanent contact with him and his launch team. My team around Dirk Pfeiffer will then, from 1.1.2021 in Innsbruck and later at the Tour Finale in Bischofshofen, as usual ensure the best landing conditions and the necessary safety. 
For me, it will be the first Four Hills Tournament in 13 years that I will watch from the living room chair due to the circumstances. As public-service television nicely puts it, “With ARD and ZDF you are always in the front row”—this time, though, it’s ORF for me :-)
I only wish all athletes a successful Tour and everyone else a Happy New Year 2021! Stay positive in mind and negative in testing! 

Your Peter Riedel