First hurdle overcome: Six German jumpers will take part in the first competition of the Four Hills Tournament on Sunday. However, things got interesting in qualifying.
All German jumpers have qualified for the first competition of the 2024/25 Four Hills Tournament. The best starter of the German Ski Association (DSV) was Pius Paschke with 139 meters and 154.9 points in front of 18,000 spectators in Oberstdorf. That was enough for the World Cup leader to finish sixth.
In addition to him, Karl Geiger (149.3 points), Andreas Wellinger (144.6), Stephan Leyhe (128.5), Philipp Raimund (124.5) and Adrian Tittel (119.4) also made it into the top 50 jumpers, who will be there on Sunday at the official tour start (from 4.30 p.m. in the t-online live ticker).
The winner of the qualification was Daniel Tschofenig (167.5). The Austrian was followed by four other jumpers from the Alpine republic.
National coach Stefan Horngacher was still satisfied with the performance of his protégés: “First of all, it’s great that everyone is qualified,” he said on ZDF. Referring to a top jumper who wasn’t convincing in training, Horngacher added: “Pius was a bit tense, but he showed a good jump. He now knows that it’s possible.”
Paschke himself also saw it that way. “I was a bit tense. I was very happy with the jump – except for the landing,” he revealed to the 34-year-old. He now wants to analyze the day with his trainers and “build on” the jump.
The violinist, who comes from Oberstdorf, is currently on the rise. After his set on 134 meters and qualifying place ninth, he said he was happy with his performance on Saturday. “It’s gotten a little better with every jump. I’m in work mode and top 10 is always good,” said Geiger.