Thuringian Felix Hoffmann started the ski jumping winter with personal bests. After a good tenth place on Saturday (November 22nd), Hoffmann sailed onto a World Cup podium for the first time a day later in third place. Hoffmann has been part of the World Cup circus for many years, but now the knot seems to have broken.
In the Sportschau interview, the surprise third-place finisher from Lillehammer was beaming from ear to ear. The otherwise rather quiet, withdrawn Thuringian drew a modest, euphoric conclusion: “It was very cool! I’m very happy!” He said shortly before he had to go on to the award ceremony. With his jumps of 139 meters and 138 meters he celebrated the first podium finish of his career.
Felix Hoffmann flies onto the podium for the first time in his career.
As many World Cup points as before in his entire career
Nine years ago, Hoffmann, now 28, made his debut in the World Cup. For a long time he was far away from top positions or even podium places. He often failed in the first round, but this season everything seems to be different.
At the end of October he surprised at the German championships when he won gold ahead of Pius Paschke and Philipp Raimund. He set the next exclamation mark with his third place at the World Cup opener in Lillehammer. In total, Hoffmann collected 86 World Cup points in two competitions – as many as in his entire World Cup career. He benefited from the change in material, but also in the summer “Really made a lot of progress athletically”he says: “In the fall the edges started to mesh together. It got easier and easier.”
New suit regulations as a guarantee of success
Sports show expert Sven Hannawald also cites the change in material as a possible reason for Hoffmann’s good performance. The smaller suits being jumped this season require a different technique. According to Hannawald, “Sensitivity and delicacy required” and Felix Hoffmann, similar to Kamil Stoch, is one “Sensitive and sensitive jumper who can now jump better with the new suits”. As long as the rules stay like this, “Hoffmann is the quiet guy who just gets his jump going and we can just be happy about it”Hannawald sums up the weekend.
Reward for years Perseverance
The podium finish didn’t come as a complete surprise to Hoffmann: “The individual jumps in training and in the qualifying rounds were already going in that direction”he explained. Nevertheless, this podium place is special. Four years ago, the 28-year-old was on the verge of ending his career. The big successes didn’t come for a long time. Now he has rewarded himself for his years of training and perseverance. He travels to the next World Cup station in Falun in seventh place in the overall World Cup. This fact alone should inspire the Thuringian, who has been married to the former ski jumper Sophia Görlich, the twin sister of team world champion Luisa Görlich, since July 2022.
Last season it was Pius Paschke who, as a late starter, amazed everyone with five World Cup victories. It is quite possible that Hoffmann will emulate his experienced teammate. In any case, the beginning has been made.