Overall World Cup leader Pius Paschke leads the six-man squad of German ski jumpers for the start of the Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf. The German Ski Association (DSV) announced this on Boxing Day. Compared to the World Cup in Engelberg, head coach Stefan Horngacher had to cancel a DSV eagle.
Pius Paschke, Andreas Wellinger, Karl Geiger, Stephan Leyhe, Philipp Raimund and Adrian Tittel are taking part in the first competition of the Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf for the German Ski Association. The qualification takes place on Saturday (4:30 p.m.) and the first of four competitions on the prestigious tour takes place on Sunday (4:30 p.m.).
Markus Eisenbichler, who was part of the seven-man squad at the World Cup in Engelberg, Switzerland, is not in the squad.
“Unfortunately, we had to reduce our starting field in the World Cup from seven to six jumpers. Markus Eisenbichler, who was defeated by Philipp Raimund in the internal elimination at the World Cup in Engelberg, is taking part in the competition again in Garmisch-Partenkirchen,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher: ” Markus starts there in the national group.”
Horngacher is otherwise extremely positive about the start of the 73rd edition of the Four Hills Tournament. “We got off to a very good start to the season and, with Pius Paschke, have the yellow jersey wearer and are currently the best ski jumpers in the World Cup. With Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger, two other athletes are among the top ten in the overall World Cup,” said the head coach. The mood in the team is “correspondingly positive”.
Ski jumping talent Tittel should gain experience
At the same time, the 55-year-old made it clear that Philipp Raimand needs to improve. His performance so far this season has been “fluctuating”. But: “We are confident that Philipp will get going again for the tour.”
For the youngest DSV Adler in the squad, Adrian Tittel, the main thing is to gain “experience”. The 20-year-old is “doing very well so far and we are happy to have him in the team.” Horngacher also praised the officials of the world association: “Giving the medal winners of the Junior World Championships an additional fixed starting place in the World Cup was a very good decision by the FIS.”
The last German tour victory by Sven Hannawald (2001/02) was 23 years ago.
