Andreas Wellinger is tingling before the showdown in Bischofshofen. The ski jumper wants to show his best jumps at the end of the Four Hills Tournament.
As the sun set over the Bergisel and dusk fell, Andreas Wellinger was still beaming. With his bag shouldered, he also had a broad grin and a large portion of relief in his luggage. “I’m definitely satisfied”says Wellinger: “It was a really difficult competition. The conditions were – as they are in Innsbruck.” Special, he could have said. “You can’t have bad luck”said the Austrian Michael Hayböck while waiting for the lift that takes the jumpers up the Bergisel.
In Innsbruck, bad luck is sometimes more important than luck during the Four Hills Tournament. Ultimately, Wellinger traveled to Austria as the leader of the overall ranking. Of the ski jump that the 28-year-old actually likes, that actually suits him. Actually. With changing winds, Wellinger had a hard time qualifying and the pressure for Wednesday’s competition was almost palpable.
Wellinger between rating and wind points
In the valley of the Bergisel ski jump the air was already shimmering in bright sunshine at midday. The Austrian fans were hoping for a surprise coup and with it a remaining tour hope from Stefan Kraft. All those who had painted black, red and gold stripes on their faces or knitted them on their headbands and painted posters for Wellinger in their garage at home cheered whenever the SC Ruhpolding jumper was shown on the stadium screen.
The hope for the first German tour winner in over 20 years is too great. Hope that the German team also feels. Wellinger’s teammates were also waiting for him in the run-off in Innsbruck. “I told him it was really worth something.”said Karl Geiger, who was sure even before looking at the rating monitor and wind points that Wellinger’s performance would put him further ahead.
“Nothing is lost”
He, in turn, opened his eyes and seemed almost astonished that the Austrian Jan Hörl’s victory was enough for fifth place. “I showed the two best jumps in the competition and I’m really happy with the two I did there”said Wellinger. Ryōyū Kobayashi also pulled off two really strong jumps and moved past Wellinger in the overall ranking. But: “Nothing is lost and we have already experienced that differently on Bergisel”says Geiger.
Wellinger’s teammates also had their tour hopes and international competition in mind in Innsbruck. Geiger turned around again and again between interviews and acknowledged Kobayashi’s final jump with an appreciative nod of his head. “It’s going to be a showdown”said Geiger and has already promised to do almost everything to support Wellinger: “We’ll be cheerleaders.” And teammate Philipp Raimund would also be there “really keen on it.”
The “Grande Finale” in Bischofshofen
For the “Grande Finale”as Wellinger calls it, the German team is already tingling. “I always look forward to Bischofshofen”, reveals Wellinger. The ski jump? He likes it. The plan? Stands: “Attack fully. That’s the motto and what I plan to do. And how to show my best jumps in the competition today.” And then in the twilight of Bischofshofen Wellinger may have more in store than just a smile of relief.