When the German ski jumpers go to the World Cup in Lake Placid (USA) this weekend, everyone is particularly looking forward to it. Andreas Wellinger found his old strength on the ski jump in New York State last winter.
Exactly a year ago, the World Cup calendar also included jumping in Lake Placid. It was to be the turning point in Andreas Wellinger’s recent career. The Ruhpoldinger won the qualification and the jumping on the MacKenzie ski jump and celebrated his first individual victory after a six-year wait (2017, victory in Nizhny Tagil). “It’s just unbelievable. I don’t even know what to say”a beaming Wellinger admitted at the time. “The jumps got better and better and now being at the top of the podium is just great.”
Knot bursts at Wellinger in Lake Placid
With the victory in the USA, the knot seemed to be broken for the 2018 Olympic champion. Just a week later, he also won on the normal hill in Rasnov. A very conciliatory conclusion for Wellinger, who was able to maintain his form into the new season. Already in Ruka he was back on the “stick,” as the Traunstein native would probably say himself. In Finland he came third and became a great hope for overall victory at the Four Hills Tournament.
Wellinger doesn’t let himself get down
Despite the opening win in Oberstdorf, it was just not enough to win there in the end. Wellinger had to admit defeat to the Japanese Ryuyo Kobayashi in the fight for the Golden Eagle. But he didn’t let this little setback deter him. In the following World Cups in Wisla and Zakopane he was on the podium again. At the Ski Flying World Championships in Kulm he won silver individually and secured the bronze medal in the team. At the weekend in Willingen he celebrated his second World Cup victory this winter, even though he had only finished in a disappointing 17th place the day before. On Sunday he defied the rain best and secured the 14th win of his career.
Wellinger has matured and is favorite in Lake Placid
Andreas Wellinger has been jumping in the World Cup for over ten years. He is now benefiting from this experience. He knows how to deal with setbacks. After tearing his cruciate ligament in 2019, he fought his way back. The successes should not come back straight away. It was only in February a year ago that the time had come. It goes without saying that Wellinger flies to New York with the best feelings.
And in his current condition he is once again the absolute favorite for the next World Cup victory. And the crystal ball is still within the realm of possibility. Wellinger is almost 200 points behind the Austrian Stefan Kraft in second place in the overall ranking. With a victory in Lake Placid the race would finally be open. At the place where everything changed for the better for Andreas Wellinger.