Led by hopeful Pius Paschke, but without Markus Eisenbichler, the German ski jumpers are going into the 73rd Four Hills Tournament (December 28th to January 6th), which begins on Saturday in Oberstdorf.
In addition to Paschke, who has been a strong overall World Cup leader so far this winter, national coach Stefan Horngacher is relying on Andreas Wellinger (Ruhpolding), Karl Geiger (Oberstdorf), Stephan Leyhe (Willingen) and Philipp Raimund (Oberstdorf) for the first highlight of the winter. Adrian Tittel (Aue), who came third in the Junior World Championships, can also compete thanks to a special place.
Eisenbichler (Siegsdorf) has been removed from the previous World Cup squad, which was reduced from seven to six jumpers for the tour. The former tour runner-up (2018/19) was not part of the German squad last year and will only take part in the New Year’s competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen as part of the national group. The last German tour victory by Sven Hannawald (2001/02) was 23 years ago.
Paschke and Wellinger as Bearers of hope
However, Paschke in particular has nurtured hopes of another triumph so far this winter. The 34-year-old from Kiefersfelden has won five of the ten World Cup competitions so far and has been on the podium seven times. Wellinger also achieved a victory in Kuusamo, Finland, with Geiger finishing third there.
The mood in the team is “correspondingly positive,” said Horngacher: “It is a privilege for us and our sport to be able to generate so much attention. We want to be inspired by the positive emotions and try to perform at the highest level.” The qualification will take place in Oberstdorf on Saturday and the first competition on Sunday.
Eisenbichler is initially missing from the squad
Former world champion Markus Eisenbichler is initially not there. “Unfortunately we had to reduce our starting field in the World Cup from seven to six jumpers. Markus Eisenbichler, who lost to 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. Then Eisenbichler should be part of the national group.
