After a short break from the World Cup, Karl Geiger and Andreas Wellinger are back in national coach Stefan Horngacher’s squad at the Four Hills Tournament. Long-time world-class ski jumper Martin Schmitt warns that a break for the duo, who are deep in crisis, can have more than just advantages.
“When you come out of a break, you actually need a stable top 20 level,” the TV expert warns the two veterans in the “Eurosport” interview and explains: “Otherwise there is always pressure in the back of your mind to jump into the second round. You need a decent level in order to be able to free yourself from it.”
Wellinger and Geiger recently had to watch the World Cup in Engelberg. After the disappointing home World Cup in Klingenthal, Wellinger pulled the ripcord and went to the training camp instead of taking part in the dress rehearsal for the Four Hills Tournament in Engelberg. Geiger also recently had to work extra shifts instead of jumping in the World Cup as usual.
Ski jumping: “Difficult situation” in the DSV team
Overall, the DSV team is in a “difficult situation,” says Schmitt, who, however, emphasized: “With Felix Hoffmann and Philipp Raimund, two other jumpers have made it onto the podium. How many different German jumpers have jumped onto the podium in the last ten years – that’s impressive.”
The success of the shooting stars could also inspire Geiger and Wellinger, says fellow TV expert Markus Eisenbichler. “With Felix and Philipp, there are two jumpers at the front who take the media pressure away from the entire team,” said the 34-year-old: “So on the tour they can lean back relatively, the pressure is not on them. But they definitely have to use the tournament to get into shape.”
According to the five-time team world champion, one cannot yet speak of a “generational change” in the DSV team: “Pius Paschke proved last season that you can still show world-class performances even in old age.”