Overview
- Domen Prevc enters as the clear front-runner after five wins in the last six World Cup events, with Ryoyu Kobayashi and leading Austrians viewed as the main challengers.
- Qualification in Oberstdorf is set for December 28, followed by competitions in Oberstdorf (Dec 29), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Jan 1), Innsbruck (Jan 4) and Bischofshofen (Jan 6).
- Bundestrainer Stefan Horngacher named a nine-man home squad by activating the national group, led by Philipp Raimund and Felix Hoffmann, with reduced spots planned for the Austrian legs.
- Karl Geiger and Andreas Wellinger return from a form slump under a clear mandate to deliver in the first two events or risk being dropped before Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.
- Stricter suit rules after the World Championship scandal are seen as reshaping results, with Jens Weißflog saying the tighter fits suit Raimund’s style and have hindered Wellinger and Geiger; ARD, ZDF and Eurosport will carry live coverage.