23 years ago, Pius Paschke cheered on Sven Hannawald. This time it could go the other way around. But it’s not just Paschke who is a German favorite at the Four Hills Tournament.
The last time a German ski jumper won the Four Hills Tournament, the band Bro’Sis was at the top of the charts with “I believe”, the first Harry Potter film was showing in cinemas and there were MP3 players on Christmas wish lists shortly before and digital cameras – and with Pius Paschke perhaps tickets for the tour. The neighbor finally gave it to him and so Paschke kept his fingers crossed for Sven Hannawald at the jump.
“I was in Innsbruck and saw Sven win”says Paschke at the press conference of the German ski jumpers in Fischen im Allgäu. “For me that was a highlight – being in the stadium and enjoying the ski jumping.” That was 23 years ago now. But as a child he didn’t yet understand the implications.
Paschke suddenly favorite?
Things have changed now – Paschke has not only understood the significance, but before the start of the Four Hills Tournament this year he can almost grasp it with his hands. After strong results this winter, the 34-year-old is suddenly the favorite. But this role doesn’t come so suddenly for Paschke himself or for his teammate Andreas Wellinger. “It’s not surprising to me”says Wellinger into the many microphones on the podium and grins. After all, Paschke not only deserved this success, but also worked for it. Paschke had a strong summer and was able to carry a lot of it into the season.
“Pius pulls us along as a team”reveals Wellinger, who was one of the favorites last year, took victory at the start in Oberstdorf, but had to admit defeat to the Japanese Ryōyū Kobayashi in the fight for the overall ranking. Fans and those in charge have Wellinger on the list again for this tour – but the focus is on Paschke. “That’s always the best situation when your own man is in the yellow jersey,” says Wellinger.
Martin Thiel, Sportschau, December 27th, 2024 9:45 p.m
Wellinger with ease
He seems relaxed, jokes and brings a lot of lightness to the opening competition in Oberstdorf. To the Schattenbergschanze, which is something like Wellinger’s “love-hate relationship” – a ski jump that doesn’t always suit him: “Sometimes I’ve been snotty during training,” he says. Because: “The spectacular is the unspectacular.” That’s exactly what he could say about his teammate Paschke, who sits right next to him on the podium not far from the large, glowing Christmas tree.
Paschke has found his system this year, can usually pull off strong jumps – with a few exceptions, such as the dress rehearsal in Engelberg, which he completed in a weak state – and is completely at home with himself and his processes. Paschke also knows that 23 years after Hannawald’s victory on this tour, hopes lie with him and his impressive consistency. “As a ski jumper, this is definitely one of the biggest things you can win,” he says and laughs – almost as if he hadn’t answered the question about who was the favorite over and over again in the past few weeks.
Hannawald is hoping for a German tour winner
At the Four Hills Tournament everything is a little bigger – media hype, attention, expectations. National coach Stefan Horngacher also knows this and is trying to find the right balance for his team these days. “We are aware of the media presence, but we also try to use loopholes”explains the national coach. Loopholes in the team’s busy schedule. Rest periods are important. “It makes a difference if you can get away from the noise and stress during the competition.”
The pressure – it is there even beyond the four competitions, for the German team and for Pius Paschke. Because it’s not just fans and those responsible who hope that after 23 years a German jumper will once again take victory. “I count the years exactly like that”says Hannawald – once a tour winner, now a sports show expert. “Because I always had hope that it would work out. And this year I find myself saying: The conditions are even better.”
“Side-Eye” to the Austrians?
After all, it’s not just Paschke who is in strong form, Wellinger is also one of the extended favorites. They both know that the competition is fierce with the strong Austrian team, which has not just one but several top jumpers with tour ambitions. But Wellinger and Paschke want to keep the focus on themselves.
When asked about the Austrians who were the strongest jumpers among their neighbors, the national coach’s answer was as short as it was precise: “Wellinger and Paschke.”
National coach Horngacher is currently enjoying the laughs as much as the lightness that the two of them radiate on the podium next to him. Perhaps the most difficult task in the coming days will be to not let the pressure get too great and to keep things light. But things were probably no different 23 years ago.