The German ski jumpers qualified for the first individual decision on Saturday (08.02.2025, 3:50 p.m. in the Sportschau-Livestream) at the World Cup in Lake Placid.
The German ski jumpers have been in the form of Christmas since Christmas. The crisis culminated in disappointing performances at the home World Cup last weekend in Willingen. Thousands of kilometers away from home should now be refueled.
On the Olympic ski jump in the US state of New York, this did not work in qualification late Friday evening (CET). In the victory of the Slovenian Domen Prevc, Andreas Wellinger was the best German.
Wind makes life difficult to springs
However, jumping was strongly determined by the (UN) weather. The wind always blew. Sometimes from behind, sometimes from the front, sometimes on the slope, sometimes at the table. In addition to jump class, luck was also necessary.
Philipp Raimund had that – but only in training. With a set of 127 meters, the Oberstdorfer was the best. There was no wind support in the qualification, the jump ended after only 119 meters. That was enough for the competition, but not for a top ratio (22nd place). Raimund easily took it in the Sportschau interview: “I’m pretty much sagged in the air, it should be quieter tomorrow, so I’m very relaxed.”
Wellinger and violinist scratch on top ten
The 119.5 meters magically attracted Andreas Wellinger from SC Ruhpolding on Friday. In training and qualification, he jumped exactly on this width and was the best of the DSV team as twelfth. However, followed by Karl Geiger (13./SC Oberstdorf), who delivered his best leap in the competition. After lean training jumps to 114 and 117 meters, it increased in the qualification with a strong tailwind to 118.5 meters.
Andreas Wellinger was the best German as a twelfth.
Hoffmann with light and shadow
Young talent Felix Hoffmann (SWV Goldlauter Haidersbach) – in Willingen, at least on the first day a ray of hope – remains a surprise bag. Sometimes almost nothing (110.5 meters in the first training session), then a lot (126 meters in the second training session). In the qualification, Hoffmann succeeded in a good jump to 122 meters with which he, as the 15th, loosely qualified and was a fifth man for the World Cup.
Returner Stephan Leyhe – he got the starting place from Paschke – jumped solidly, but without a runaway up. At 119 meters, the Willinger sailed into the individual decision with a lot of tailwind immediately after the jump. “It was a very good day for me”said Leyhe, who said with a view to the conditions: “With the wind you never know what to expect. You have to trust your basics. ”
Granerud “conjures up” without his own equipment
The Norwegian Halvor Egner Granerud arrived after an arrival and lake shortly before the competition – but without his own equipment. With bored material, Granerud wore it at 116.5 meters – and thus into the competition.
In contrast to Ryoyu Kobayashi. The Japanese was literally pushed down and eliminated with only 102 meters.
Paschke – competition break against the crisis?
Pius Paschke, started with five World Cup victories in November and December, saved the journey across the big pond. The veteran has been in a crisis for weeks and is looking for solutions away from the World Cup hustle and bustle to jump far again until the annual highlight-the Nordic Ski World Cup (February 26 to March 9, 2025 in Trondheim).
“We discussed ourselves in peace. Pius Paschke will go out of the World Cup, he will stay at home and do a quiet training “said national coach Stefan Horngacher after the disappointing appearance in Willingen (places 27 and 31). At the World Cup general rehearsal in Sapporo this coming weekend, Paschke is to return to the team.