The events in Oberstdorf, Garmisch Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen draw a crowd of over 30,000 each year, with millions more tuning in to watch live TV coverage. For an athlete, there is no better feeling than having crowds of people at the hill and in the homeland watch with mouths agape; for the viewers, there is nothing quite like seeing their compatriot sweep away the world's elite.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Slovenians were the ones that had the most reason for celebration at the 52nd issue of this traditional tournament. It was 25-year-old Peter Žonta who kindled the passions, as he won the Innsbruck event, coupling his achievement with a second, 8th and 11th place. This was enough to take him to third place overall.

A veteran of nine years on the World Cup circuit, Žonta surprised everyone, including the team management. "We really did not expect that from Žonta. He never seemed like the winning type, so we expected more from Primož Peterka," said Primož Ulaga, the director of the Nordic ski team and one of the three Slovenians aside from Žonta and Peterka with a New Year's Tournament win.

Žonta had never managed to go beyond fourth place in earlier World Cup seasons, so many had already given up thinking that fifth place is about as far as he can go. But he never gave up although he had quite a few crises over the years; even at the latest Summer Cup he was completely out of shape.

His deserved reward came in Innsbruck, where he soared to the top spot from eighth place in the first series. That his win was no coincidence became evident two days later in Bischofshofen, where he finished second, only 2.4 points behind the overall winner of the Four Hills Tournament, Sigurd Pettersen of Norway. Slovenians are hopeful that he will retain his form for the Ski Flying World Championships which start in Planica, the cradle of Slovenian ski jumping, on 20 February.