The initial situation of the ski jumpers could hardly be more different at the Nordic Ski World Cup. There are many medal hopes for women, the men rely on the team.
Yellow was the dominant color of the German ski jumpers in the first third of the season. Katharina Schmid and Pius Paschke seemed to have flown effortlessly from one win to the next. They dominated the overall World Cup and left the other athletes puzzled. At the end of February, however, these pictures faded, look like from another time – especially with Pius Paschke. After five season wins at the start, he has been waiting for a top ten placement since the beginning of January.
Of all things, the first season highlight of the four -hill tour, the wind turned. Paschke lost his swing and Austria began to dominate the World Cup winter. Three Austrians also lead the overall classification in front of the Nordic Ski World Cup: Daniel Tschofenig in front of Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft. And Pius Paschke? He even missed the second round when the World Cup general rehearsal in Sapporo. “My start to the season was of course insane. That was cool what happened in the first few weeks. It’s a shame that I failed to maintain that. But that’s how the situation is now“, said Paschke before the World Cup start.
The 34-year-old, unlike the tour, can now complete the title fights in Trondheim without much expectations. After the last results, he can actually only surprise positively.
Favorites are the others
The same applies to the other DSV-eagles Karl Geiger, Philipp Raimund, Andreas Wellinger and Stephan Leyhe. Geiger jumped onto the podium this winter, most recently he missed the top ten several times. After the last intensive training sessions in his homeland Oberstdorf, the 32-year-old nevertheless goes to the World Cup optimistically: “We trained again in Oberstdorf. We will do everything we can to fight for the front places. The view is directed forward. We know that we have the potential.“
Philipp Raimund did not make it one of the top ten in the World Cup this winter. The same applies to Stephan Leyhe. After all, there was a slight upward trend with Andreas Wellinger. In Japan he made the jump in the top ten again. Wellinger won silver at the last World Cup in Planica. This appears unlikely due to the last results, but for the 29-year-old it is clear: “With a World Cup, the first three places count, the medals. That’s why there is one goal: go full throttle!“
The DSV eagles have the best medal opportunities together. Except for a competition, the ski jumpers were always on the podium in the team this winter. The prospects in the mixed competition are even better, because Katharina Schmid no longer flies into yellow, but still much more stable than Pius Paschke. In addition, their teammates recently triumphed strongly.
Three DSVSki jumpers with podium chances
Schmid arrived four victories at the beginning of the season, and she was also on the podium three times. The last podium, however, was almost two months ago. “I have never started the season as well as this year. At the moment, however, I find it difficult to find this lightness again. Finally I got a better feeling again. Of course, self -confidence and lightness are missing, but I’m still looking forward to the World Cup“, said Schmid.
Finally, the world champion from 2023 jumped into the top ten and with her four World Cup medals from Planica in the back, the 28-year-old is confident: “I will open with the jersey as world champion of 2023. I know when everything runs together and I catch a good day, then I can also fight for the medals. I really like the ski jumps in Trondheim.“And the Allgäuer can have major events, was always fit and was able to collect eleven medals at big events.
Friday and Reisch in top form
Perhaps Schmid also helps the fact that she is not alone in the limelight that the expectation load does not have to manage alone. Because Selina Freitag has jumped into a almost bigger role of favorites in the World Cup due to her last results. In the past five World Cups, she has been on the podium five times, only had to give up the high -flyer from Slovenia, Nika Prevc.
And once her own teammate Agnes Reisch. The 25-year-old is pushing more and more towards the top of the world. A total of six times she was among the top five this season and can now sniff World Cup air for the first time: “I look forward to my first World Cup. There will be many new impressions for me. I hope I can process you well, you can ski jumping well and have fun.“
In Planica, the DSV starter took a total of six medals home. This should be difficult to top this year with the seven chances of precious metal in Trondheim. Unless the men find on track on track at the highlight of the season.