Kobayashi wins with a monster jump
The day’s victory in a high-class competition despite continuous rain and temperatures around zero degrees went to Ryoyu Kobayashi, who after 128.5 meters in the first round flew to 141 meters and to the opening victory despite a short run in the final. The competition couldn’t counter the size of the 25-year-old. Second and third place went to the Norwegians Halvor Egner Granerud (132 meters / 133 meters) and Robert Johansson (135.5 meters / 131 meters).
Horngacher: “Did we know before”
“You can see that he jumps very well. We already knew beforehand that he would ultimately be the top favorite,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher about the victory of Kobayashi, and added combative: “But we are also sorted and know what needs to be done.”
“Strange combination of wind and Gate“
To Karl Geiger’s second jump, because of the freshening wind from Gate 18 on Gate 16 changed, said the national coach in the sports show: “The second jump was a strange combination of wind and gate. Because the wind got better, the gate was changed. With Karl, the wind wasn’t that good down there and he couldn’t fly that far.” Nevertheless, Horngacher was “Very satisfied with him. He solved that very well. He is not far from the overall standings. Now it starts and now it goes on.”
Geiger: “A bit disappointed”
Geiger confessed in the sports show: “At first I was a bit disappointed because I noticed upstairs that the others had come a long way. I didn’t quite have the fine edge in the second round.“The Oberstdorfer added militantly: “But it’s okay. The tension was a bit higher today than expected. It was quite good for that. The jump was good. But it wasn’t as good as I can. Fifth place is striking distance. The starting situation is Well.”
Eisenbichler on seven – “Knows where to go”
Geiger’s friend and teammate Markus Eisenbichler made a leap forward, who was still annoyed over 129.5 meters and tenth after the first round. In the second round, the man from Siegsdorf then sailed to 132.5 meters, cheered in the run – and improved to seventh place. “The second jump was just as I imagined. It didn’t quite work in the first, the second was good for it. That makes me happy, I know where I have to go. Security is coming back, I’m looking forward to Garmisch “said the 30-year-old in the sports show. With a view to the winner of the day, he added: “Kobayashi jumps very cleanly. I know I can do that too. But I’m not ready yet.”
Leyhe in the top 10 – “Always getting better”
Stephan Leyhe also showed a strong competition: with 124.5 meters and 125.0 meters, he came in good ninth. “My conclusion is consistently positive. I was able to improve, that was my goal. The rhythm is right again, I’m getting more pressure over the corner again.”, Leyhe was happy in the sports show. “I have the unloved Oberstdorf-Schanze behind me. Now it is getting better and better”he added with a wink.
Pius Paschke caught a weak second jump after 123.0 meters in the first round and rank 13 and fell back to 26th with only 110 meters.
Friend up front – and disqualified
The afternoon was annoying for Severin Freund, who with 124.5 meters not only won his duel against the Russian Roman Trofimow (115.5 meters) but was also on the top 10 course. The Rastbüchler was disqualified because of a non-compliant suit – and is therefore not allowed to run in the second round. “Something just didn’t fit in the suit. This is a sport that is also about small things. It is controlled and that is a good thing.”, the 33-year-old was annoyed in the sports show and added: “You just have to accept that and do better next time.” Without disqualification, the 22-time World Cup winner would have gone into the second round in eighth place.
Schmid missed the second round
Constantin Schmid also missed the second round – but for sporting reasons. The Oberaudorf flew to 118.5 meters, but had to admit defeat by 0.2 points against his Japanese opponent Yukiya Sato. In the Lucky loser– Schmid only came in sixth and was eliminated.
Last year’s winner Stoch is eliminated
The Pole Kamil Stoch experienced a little ski jumping debacle. The 39-time World Cup winner and overall tour winner of the previous year was eliminated with a width of only 118 meters. Stoch’s teammates Piotr Zyla and Jakub Wolny also missed the final of the top 30.
The tour dreams ended early for Stefan Kraft from Austria and the Slovenian Anze Lanisek – both of whom were co-favorites before the tour. Kraft improved from 16th place in the first round to 12th place, Lanisek from 28th to 23rd – both of them are now far behind on the podium in the overall standings.
Ipcioglu makes history
Fatih Arda Ipcioglu wrote history for this: The 24-year-old finished 29th and was the first Turkish ski jumper to collect World Cup points. “It’s nice that I can write history again, I’m also the first Turk to jump in the World Cup. The Turks are coming”said Ipcioglu after the competition in the sports show. The Turk, who trains in Slovenia, has already bought the ticket for the Olympic Games.
Wellinger already eliminated in the qualification
Andreas Wellinger already retired in the qualification on Tuesday (December 28th, 2021). As 51st, the 2018 Olympic champion was only 0.5 points short of the top 50 and thus the tournament opener.