The 71st Four Hills Tournament is not dominated by a DSV eagle – the dreams of a tourney victory have already burst at halftime. The absolute high-flyer so far is a Norwegian.
Disappointment yes, bitterness no: The German ski jumpers process the end of the tour dreams quite calmly. “We don’t let that bother us“, said Karl Geiger on the second day of the ski jump spectacle’s disappointing performance in the New Year’s competition, which sealed the end of all hopes for the “golden eagle”.
The top competition for tour dominator Halvor Egner Granerud is in a league of its own. The DSV eagles recognize that. Nevertheless, national coach Stefan Horngacher draws a positive interim conclusion and even spoke “of a positive balance”. In view of the preliminary work in the World Cup, this point of view is understandable.
Horngacher: “We’re definitely too far away”
Geiger is fifth in the Four Hills Tournament ranking, Andreas Wellinger is sixth. Both are worse placed in the World Cup. Of course, the German team cannot be satisfied that the wait for the first victory at the prestigious event around the turn of the year continues 21 years after Sven Hannawald’s triumph. “We are definitely too far away”said Horngacher.
Form weak Eisenbichler remains in the tour
The tour has so far been disappointing for one in particular: Markus Eisenbichler did not make it into the second round in either Oberstdorf or Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The six-time world champion is in a slump this season.
Nevertheless, the Bavarian will finish the tour. “It is very clear that Markus will continue to Bischofshofen and then in the World Cup.”said Horngacher. “But he’s not far away, looks good in training”the Austrian added: “Sometimes things can go fast in ski jumping.”
Youngster Raimund “doesn’t give a shit”
While Eisenbichler continues to search for his form, a youngster has caused surprises so far. Philipp Raimund was 14th and 15th and is a lot of fun with his cheeky appearance on his first full tour. The “highly intelligent” (Horngacher) video game freak has plenty of potential. “He just doesn’t give a shit”said Geiger about his colleague in Oberstdorf.
Geiger: “Give them a slap in the face”
What are the goals for the last two competitions of the tour? “It’s pretty much going to be nothing with the overall victory”said Geiger and added with a view to the coming months: “There are still a few stations to come and a World Cup too. You can’t always throw all your nerves overboard.”
At half-time, the gap to the leader is greater than it has been in nine years. Granerud is the equivalent of more than 30 meters ahead of the Germans. Even the pedestal is about ten meters away.
Still, no one wants to give up. violinist hopes “that sometimes a jump slips out, that it really bangs. And that you can maybe give them a slap in the face and they say: You still have to count on us.”
Granerud is the high flyer of the tour
“They” are Granerud, the Pole Dawid Kubacki, who is leading in the World Cup, and the Slovenian Anze Lanisek. The three jumpers do what Geiger has done regularly in recent years: they shape the season and impress the competition.
Especially Granerud impressed the jumpers. The 26-year-old is an exceptional talent on the hill. In his cross-legged yoga pose, Granerud celebrated his victory on the big Olympic hill at the start of the year.
Two years ago he arrived as the favorite for the title, but was unable to replicate his performance on the tour. Unlike back then, Granerud now seems relaxed and relaxed. The athlete, prone to brooding and over-analysis, now seems better able to handle the pressure.