A Four Hills Tournament without Markus Eisenbichler? Actually unimaginable. However, the fact that the former world champion was not nominated for the German World Cup team again makes this scenario more likely.
Markus Eisenbichler will not be part of the German squad at the upcoming Ski Jumping World Cup in Engelberg (Switzerland). As the DSV announced on Wednesday (December 13, 2023), the 32-year-old will be jumping in the second-class Continental Cup in Kuusamo next weekend instead of at the traditional dress rehearsal for the Four Hills Tournament.
German champion Martin Hamann was once again given preference over the six-time world champion. In addition, Klingenthal double winner Karl Geiger, Andreas Wellinger, Stephan Leyhe, Pius Paschke and Philipp Raimund are in the DSV squad.
Eisenbichler disappoints in the Continental Cup
Eisenbichler is currently searching in vain for his form. At the season debut in the Continental Cup last weekend in Lillehammer, only places 14 and 23 came out. On the large hill, he failed to make an attempt over the 130-meter mark, which meant he ended up well behind his teammates Luca Roth and Felix Hoffmann.
This means that participation in the Four Hills Tournament is becoming increasingly distant for Eisenbichler. Geiger, Wellinger and Paschke are practically seeded thanks to their outstanding performances. Leyhe, Raimund and, to some extent, Hamann have also shown solid jumps so far.
Tour start for the first time since 2012 without Eisenbichler?
It is still unclear whether the DSV will use its two-time opportunity to register an additional “national group” at the German tour stops in Oberstdorf on December 29th and Garmisch-Partenkirchen on New Year’s Day.
In previous years, the DSV had only reported an additional six-man squad in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. If the association does this again, Eisenbichler, who was second overall, is likely to miss the start of the tour for the first time since 2012.
Geiger’s good memories of Engelberg
However, the situation at Geiger is completely different. After his phenomenal performance in Klingenthal, he is now returning to the site of his first World Cup victory. Almost exactly five years ago, the Oberstdorf native won a World Cup competition from the Gross-Titlis ski jump for the first time. Three years later he repeated his triumph there and then.
“I’m really happy – especially after things went so well in Klingenthal“said Geiger. “I like the ski jump in Engelberg and was able to celebrate my first World Cup victory there.”