In the last team competition of the winter, the German ski jumpers also missed the podium due to difficult conditions. The Austrians could not be beaten at the World Cup final in Planica.
Karl Geiger, Andreas Wellinger, Philipp Raimund and Pius Paschke finished the competition in the Slovenian ski jumping Mecca on Saturday, which was marked by many interruptions, in fourth place. This means that the German ski jumpers remain in the team without a podium finish in a World Cup season for the first time in 18 years.
Geiger and Wellinger in particular gave hope with two strong flights in the first round, but that wasn’t enough for a place on the podium – after eight jumps, the German quartet was more than 40 points behind third place.
Austria wins ahead of Japan and Norway
The Austrians Daniel Tschofenig, Markus Müller, Stefan Kraft and Stephan Embacher dominated the distance hunt in Planica and came out on top with 1439.5 points ahead of the team world champions from Japan (1425.6) and Norway (1418.0). The co-favorites Slovenes around season dominator Domen Prevc ended up in fifth place behind Germany (1374.7).
Ski flying world record holder Prevc had caused a moment of shock in advance when, during the test run, he stumbled in a strong updraft shortly after taking off and was only able to avoid a serious fall with a lot of luck. Even during the competition, the ski flying world champion – like other athletes – repeatedly had to struggle with changing external conditions.
Geiger and Wellinger convinced in the first round
Paschke (208.5 meters) and Raimund (215.5) were initially unable to set any accents despite a fairly decent wind window. After his flight to a strong 238.5 meters, Geiger clenched his fists and brought his team back into close contact with the top places. Wellinger (230) also showed a promising first jump.
However, it was already clear at this point that the fight for the podium would be extremely difficult for the German quartet. The gap to the third-placed Norwegians, where Johann Andre Forfang achieved the day’s best distance (246.0), was already 25 points behind. The favored Austrians at the top were within 50 points. Japan was in second place at halftime, Slovenia just ahead of Germany in fourth place.
Again and again Interruptions in the final
The strong updrafts also characterized the events in the second round. Paschke had to struggle with the conditions again and only managed 212.5 meters. “I miss the peace and quiet during the flight, it’s not a relaxing flight for me“, the veteran complained in the ZDF interview.
Afterwards, the competition had to be interrupted again and again due to the unpredictable gusts. Normal hill Olympic champion Raimund made the best of it with 218 meters, but was not able to reduce the deficit significantly – on the contrary. Because Geiger and Wellinger now had to catch up to third place by 40 points.
Geiger leaves meters behind
However, Geiger’s face after his second jump spoke volumes. Despite good conditions, he landed after just 215 meters and then forced a tired smile. “It wasn’t easy to jump. It’s a shame I left a few meters behind“, said the 33-year-old Oberstdorfer.
Wellinger showed another good flight with his 226.5 meters in good conditions at the end, but the lead over the competition was too big. “Sure, fourth place is a shame. We lost too much ground. But for me it was a positive day“, explained Wellinger.
National coach Horngacher will only be there on Sunday
For Stefan Horngacher it was the penultimate competition as national coach of the German ski jumpers. The 56-year-old Austrian will be stepping down from office this winter after seven years. It is still unclear who will succeed him. According to DSV sports director Horst Hüttel, they are “right before the finish line“. Wellinger was more specific: “As far as I know, the decision has already been made.“
In the team competition, Horngacher was represented by Maximilian Mechler, who waved off the German athletes. On Sunday, according to Mechler, “big farewell party” for the national coach – ideally with a podium finish for his protégés in the last competition of the season (10 a.m. in the live ticker).
