Karl Geiger and Andreas Wellinger came closer to first place in the RAW-Air overall ranking in the qualification in Vikersund on Friday (14.03.2025). The leading Ryoyu Kobayashi lost his lead.
Day winner Domen Prevc, who, like his sister Nika, flew 236 meters a few hours earlier at her new Women’s World Record, was also the great profiteer of the conditions. The Slovenian was already the best plane in training, but in qualification the wind turned after his attempt, the last athletes had to jump at tailwind – and despite the long start, they couldn’t get to him.
Wellinger than fourth less than seven points behind Kobayashi
The best of these conditions made violinist, who had finished third at the start in Oslo, and Wellinger. Wellinger (225 meters) took fourth place and was only 0.2 points ahead of his fifth-placed DSV teammate, which continued half a meter, but had given away several meters due to an error.
Because Kobayashi became seventh with only 216.5 meters, the Japanese is only 0.8 points ahead of Prevc in the overall ranking, the German duo lurks behind it. Geiger is third, he only lacks 4.3 points on Kobayashi, behind it the gap from Wellinger is only 6.7 points.
Paschke finally a candidate for a top 10 placement
After a long time, Pius Paschke also showed why he was the best Springer worldwide before the four -hill tour. In training, the series winner of the first few months of winter had already made a good impression, in qualifying he underpinned that he liked the ski jump in Vikersund. The jump from Paschke got quite flat, but it then got flying and finally landed at 225 meters. It was also a strong attempt that was rewarded with good grades (four times 18.5 and 19.0).
Philipp Raimund was also able to look forward to landing. Ski flying has so far not been considered his specialty, at 218 meters the 24-year-old, who became fifth in Oslo the day before, was obviously very satisfied. Raimund ranked eighth in the final bill.
Paschke qualified as ninth for the first of two individual competitions in Vikersund on Saturday and could create his first top 10 placement there since the tour jumping in Innsbruck when he got eighth.
Eisenbichler makes it under the best 30
After Markus Eisenbichler missed the second round in Oslo, the 33-year-old showed a jump over 208 meters on his farewell tour, through which he also made it confidently into the competition. Eisenbichler finished the qualification in 26th place.