Five podium places in the first four competitions, plus enormous team unity: the German ski jumpers started the season stronger than they have for a long time. At sport.de, ski jumping legend Martin Schmitt gives reasons for the DSV Adler’s high – and is already hoping for an end to the German lull in the Four Hills Tournament.
Schmitt sees “two factors” for the soaring heights of German ski jumpers. “On the one hand, last season was analyzed very well, where the deficits were, where there was room for improvement, where we had to adapt technically,” he praised the work of the team around national coach Stefan Horngacher.
On the other hand, there were changes in the regulations “that you had to adjust to and find a new setup for,” explains the two-time overall World Cup winner: “The German team used and implemented that very, very well. They “We have individually found a very good solution for the new regulations, so that the technical basis and the technical sequence of the jump works and can be carried out in such a way that it is ultimately sufficient for a long jump even at the highest level.”
Before the start of the season, the world association FIS changed the body measurements that determine the size of the jump suit. “There have been repeated discussions over the last few years. Even about the initial measurement,” says Schmitt about the background.
“This season, things have been simplified. They now use modern tools and have a 3D scanner. The body is scanned as it is, that is now the starting dimension. This meant that one or two dimensions changed .” Some jumpers benefit from this, “others just lose”.
Ski jumping: DSV eagles benefit from their “basic philosophy”
The DSV Eagles benefit from the “fair measurement procedure”, and the German team has “not taken it to extremes” with the suits in recent years, said Schmitt. Other nations, especially the Norwegians, have chosen an extremely aggressive “setup at the limit” and are now having problems adapting to the new rules.
Another, at first glance, small rule change “in the binding area” is also noticeable, explains Schmitt. “You stand with your heel slightly elevated. And the shoe height has been limited, which of course has an effect on the body’s center of gravity in the direction of the take-off movement. The German team copes with this very well. They were not at the absolute limit in this area before Regulations, therefore has some leeway and did not have to intervene so harshly.”
According to Schmitt, the trump card for the Germans as well as the Austrians under the new rules is “that you jump off very cleanly based on the basic philosophy. Great importance is placed on a technically very precise take-off movement so that you generate the right impulse in the transition phase “You have a quick ski grip – that’s the only way you can be aggressive. You benefit from a good technical basis,” explains the former world champion in an interview sport.de.
The German jumpers had “improved technically” over the summer, which was evident immediately after the edge of the take-off table. “This year they are making the transition phase into flight much more dynamic. The boys are noticeably quicker in the flight position, so they can carry more speed into the flight,” says Schmitt. Here in particular, the German team has adapted excellently to the new regulations, “which actually make this phase more difficult.” It was possible to find “a solution for every individual”.
Schmitt: With Wellinger and Geiger, two touring irons
Schmitt finds the performance of Karl Geiger, who recently got a taste of the podium again in Lillehammer, impressive. “He had major difficulties and problems adjusting to the new circumstances in the summer. But he’s just an incredibly meticulous worker. He tinkers around and tries to find a solution and when it comes to competition, he has his stuff mostly together,” praises Schmitt. The rule changes “didn’t necessarily play into the Bavarian’s hands. But he found a solution for himself and that’s really impressive. I think he’ll get even stronger as the season goes on.”
Andreas Wellinger and the German ski jumpers got off to a strong start to the season
Schmitt also finds it “totally impressive” how Pius Paschke “has developed again in his old age as a jumper and is now jumping at his personal optimum.” The 33-year-old climbed onto the podium for the first time in his career at the season opener in Kuusamo.
Andreas Wellinger is currently making the strongest “overall impression” in the German team. The 2018 Olympic champion laid the foundation for his strength last season, said Schmitt. “He jumped well last winter, gained self-confidence and now certainly benefited from the momentum in the entire German team,” says Schmitt about the current second place in the World Cup. “After a few difficult years, it takes a while for self-confidence to be 100 percent again.”
Wellinger is now “simply ready to win a competition series like the Four Hills Tournament,” the “Eurosport” expert takes a look at the annual season highlight. Wellinger has to do his “homework” before the start of the classic. “But the form curve is pointing upwards. He can be the man to challenge Stefan Kraft by the time the tour begins.” Since Geiger is also on the rise and “can really push himself again until the climax,” the German team “perhaps has two irons in the fire this season,” hopes Schmitt.
The 45-year-old is sure that the “overall strength of the team will be very helpful on the tour when it comes to individual victory.”
Martin Armbruster