The ski jumpers ended the season with a worthy finish. The DSV-Adler also impressed in Severin Freund’s last competition. However, Karl Geiger missed the coup to win the overall World Cup.
The ski jumping season ended with the competition on the large hill in Planica. The Norwegian and ski flying world champion Marius Lindvik won ahead of the Japanese Yukiya Sato and the Slovenian Peter Prevc. It was also clear that not the DSV eagle Karl Geiger, but the Japanese Ryoyu Kobayashi secured the crystal globe and thus the overall World Cup victory. He ended up eighth in Planica.
Karl Geiger was the best German as 16th, he jumped 242 meters in the second round. Andreas Wellinger ended up in 18th place and came up after 230 meters.
“Severin made history”
Severin Freund finished the very last jump of his career by breaking the 200 meter mark and landing after 215 meters (28th place). After that, the supervisors stood by and clapped and lifted him up. The Swiss Kilian Peier also came and hugged the DSV star. National coach Stefan Horngacher then said on ARD: “He was the one who heralded German success after the Hannawald/Schmidt period. He was the calming influence in our team. I appreciate him very much as an athlete and as a person.”
Freund himself said: “It wasn’t the easiest day. When I woke up, I realized it was a bit different. I had in mind that I would hand over the skis and the suits.” ARD expert Sven Hannawald added: “Severin said at the time that I would write our own story and that’s what he did.”
Geiger very touched by friend farewell
Karl Geiger had teary eyes as he stood next to Freund and said: “He has been my role model for many years, I am incredibly proud that I was there. I just hope that we will continue to cross paths. “
Eisenbichler was not quite satisfied with his 220 meters in the second run and 25th place, said on ARD: “I didn’t get in quite as much as I would have liked.” Constantin Schmid (24th place) and Stephan Leyhe (28th place) showed solid performances.
DSV-Adler weaken in the first round
Already after the first round it was indicated that the German jumpers would not be among the top positions. Karl Geiger ended up as the best DSV eagle with 225 meters in 14th place. Andreas Wellinger (223 meters) was three places down.
Constantin Schmid (210 meters), Markus Eisenbichler (209.5 meters), Stephan Leyhe (204.5 meters) and Severin Freund (190.5 meters) finished in places 25 to 28. Freund announced his career before the competition to end (Here you can read more about it).