Willingen has often been a good place for Andreas Wellinger. Will the 30-year-old fight his way out of the valley again on the Mühlenkopfschanze? It’s the last chance to gain self-confidence before the Olympics.
Sometimes things happen that you don’t even expect. Andreas Wellinger’s victory on the Mühlenkopfschanze in Willingen two years ago was such a moment. Back then he couldn’t be beaten in absolutely bad weather. This time a mix of sun, clouds and snow with slightly plus temperatures is forecast.
First spectator, now spotlight
In terms of weather, the season was rather gray and cloudy for Wellinger. The 30-year-old simply can’t get into flying and was even eliminated from the Ski Flying World Championships recently. Wellinger was just a spectator as his teammates sailed over the bizarre monster in Oberstdorf. But the 30-year-old has his place at the Olympics for sure. When it came time to be nominated, Wellinger was slightly ahead of the second problem child, Karl Geiger.
Andreas Wellinger – will Willingen be able to return to its former strength?
Since Geiger’s exit from the Olympics was confirmed, his form has been going up. Wellinger, on the other hand, continues to search for the air that will carry him far into the pool. Now it starts in Willingen from Friday (4:10 p.m. in the sports show ticker). It will be the last chance to work on your form under competitive conditions before the Olympics.
Already two wins on the Mühlenkopf ski jump
So it’s perfect that the dress rehearsal takes place on the Mühlenkopfschanze. On that Bakken in 2013, Wellinger – then just 17 years old – flew onto the podium with the team. The jumper from SC Ruhpolding won the individual event in 2017 and 2024. “I’ve been able to be at the top twice in Willingen and I’m looking forward to both the jump and the scenery,” he says before the home game.
A win is not expected this year. Strictly speaking, it would be a success if Wellinger were to jump anywhere near the top 10. Because so far he has had a messed up season: the 30-year-old is currently in 37th place in the overall World Cup, and he only ended up in 36th place in the Four Hills Tournament.
Wellinger: “I know what I’m capable of”
The Ski Flying World Championships last weekend, in which he was neither included in the individual nor in the team and was used as a jumper on Sunday, was the next low point. And yet Wellinger doesn’t give up. “I’m going to keep pushing, improving every detail and focusing on what’s next. I know what I’m capable of and I’m working hard every single day to get back there” he wrote on Instagram.
Willingen has already been a “booster” for the DSV Adler. In 2010, the German jumpers were also in a difficult situation before the Winter Games, but then jumped well in Willingen and Vancouver to silver as a team.
Willingen is located in Wellinger
Last season, Wellinger also flew back on the road to success. As now, he was looking for form back then and was miles away from the podium in the World Cup. With twelfth and 17th places, he fought his way to the top of the world on the ski jump in the Rothaar Mountains and shortly afterwards took silver at the World Championships in Trondheim.
schedule
Friday, 4:10 p.m.: Mixed team in the sports show ticker
Saturday, 1:15 p.m.: Individual women in the sports show ticker
Saturday, 4 p.m.: Men’s singles in the sports show ticker
Sunday, February 1st, 2026, 1:15 p.m.: Individual women in the sports show ticker
Sunday, February 1st, 2026, 4 p.m.: Men’s singles in the sports show ticker
Source: Sanny Stephan with sid
