Pius Paschke found no way to counter the superiority from Austria in the qualification for the New Year’s competition.
Pius Paschke fired another rocket, but he was again powerless against the red-white-red fireworks. With a jump of 133.0 m and ninth place, the German hopeful also impressed in the qualification for the New Year’s competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The clear favorites for overall victory in the Four Hills Tournament still come from Austria: Jan Hörl, Daniel Tschofenig and Michael Hayböck took the first three places.
“It was fun, even if there is still room for improvement. A little bit is still left,” said Paschke.
The best German on the Olympic hill was Karl Geiger in seventh place, followed a little behind by Andreas Wellinger in twelfth place.
Nine of the ten DSV starters made it into the competition on Wednesday (2:00 p.m./ARD and Eurosport), only Adrian Tittel got stuck.
Paschke “it doesn’t matter whether a Swiss, Slovenian or Norwegian is in front”
After his fourth place in Oberstdorf, Paschke is the only German who can still hope to win the tour. But in the new year he has to make up ground on the Austria trio Stefan Kraft, Hörl and Tschofenig, who are ahead of him. At least Oberstdorf winner Kraft showed slight weaknesses in eleventh place on Tuesday.
“I don’t care whether a Swiss, Slovenian or Norwegian is in front,” said Paschke about the dominance of the neighbors: “I don’t care at all. I’m concentrating on my things. I now have to draw up a clear plan and do it with conviction pull through. That’s my credo for the New Year and the next few days.”
After all, the tour is still long, everything is open before the second stop. “You never know what will happen,” said “ARD” expert Sven Hannawald: “I hope that the others will also give Pius a boost so that he is not alone.” Hannawald was the last German to win in Garmisch on New Year’s Day 2002 – and a few days later he was the last German to win the overall tour.
Eisenbichler reports back
Returnee Markus Eisenbichler also easily made it into the top 50 in 27th place. The former world champion is part of the national group that the DSV can only bring to the start in Garmisch. Eisenbichler is hoping to start in Innsbruck on Saturday, but Felix Hoffmann (28th) also expressed ambitions.
Philipp Raimund (17th) will hardly give up his place. “I’ve found a way to get a good jump. It’s a weight off your mind,” said the Oberstdorfer.
Stephan Leyhe (29th), however, has to worry. From the B team, Constantin Schmid (40th) and Luca Roth (49th) also made it into the competition.
“There were some good jumps, I’m quite happy,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher. Paschke had “one or two little things wrong with the approach position,” but his previous pilot could still correct them: “And then he can definitely jump back to the front.”
The German duels on Wednesday at a glance:
Karl Geiger (7) – Zigar Jela (44/Slovenia)
Pius Paschke (9) – Tate Frantz (42/USA)
Andreas Wellinger (12) – Roman Koudelka (39/Czech Republic)
Philipp Raimund (17) – Kevin Bickner (34/USA)
Markus Eisenbichler (27) – Artti Aigro (24/Estonia)
Felix Hoffmann (28) – Aleksander Zniszczol (23/Poland)
Stephan Leyhe (29) – Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (22/Norway)
Constantin Schmid (40) – Stefan Kraft (11/Austria)
Luca Roth (49) – Daniel Tschofenig (2/Austria)