Ski jumping favorite Markus Eisenbichler fell a long way in the fall. He was demoted to the second tier by national coach Stefan Horngacher and publicly criticized for it. With a victory in the Continental Cup, “Eisei” suddenly puts himself back in the conversation for a World Cup comeback.
What does Markus Eisenbichler actually do? He wins jumping again. The six-time world champion celebrated his victory and third place in the Continental Cup last weekend Iron Mountain (USA) reported back. The bang in the second league of ski jumping came completely out of nowhere; it was his first individual victory in three years and 88 days. After difficult years, the former favorite of ski jumping fans had a brutal crash at the start of the season.
Horngacher tough: “No matter how many medals you have”
In November he was eliminated from the World Cup, and in December he didn’t even make it into the expanded national group for the Four Hills Tournament for the first time since 2012. On top of that, he was publicly counted by national coach Stefan Horngacher: “He often covers up a lot of things. We have to talk about where the journey is going. Performance counts, that’s just how it is. It doesn’t matter how many medals you have hanging at home.”
Summer dispute over Eisenbichler’s focus
Horngacher’s displeasure with Eisenbichler stemmed primarily from the summer preparation and the prioritization of his protégé. This time of year is when the foundations for winter performance are laid – and the 32-year-old took some time off there. The Upper Bavarian had decided to complete his advanced training with the police, which disappointed Horngacher: “We advised him against that, it absolutely has to be that way.”
The long search for consistency
Eisenbichler received the receipt in the form of his non-nomination in the winter. His big problem, the lack of consistency, had caused him to stumble again and again in recent years. One day Eisenbichler jumps “out of the stadium”as his long-time roommate Severin Freund describes it at BR24Sport, “Then he has jumps again where he doesn’t get any distance at all.”
The mystery surrounding Eisenbichler was revealed once again in October. The test run at the summerGrand Prix In Klingenthal he won, but a little later he missed the second round with 31st place. What particularly annoys friend and national coach Horngacher: Eisenbichler has everything he needs to keep up with the world’s best. 21 World Cup podium places and second place in the 2018/19 Four Hills Tournament are evidence of his class.
Liberation at Iron Mountain
“If he makes the right jumps, the ice egg can jump onto the podium at any time”, Freund is still certain. Now – after 32nd and 47th place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the beginning of the year – Eisenbichler was able to do this Iron Mountain finally prove it again. Last Saturday he came third in the first competition of the day, and in the afternoon he was unbeatable with sets of 131.5 and 139 meters.
DSV sports director sees Eisenbichler’s fight
“He’s fighting and training”, honored DSV sports director Horst Hüttel. Eisenbichler is “a little bit Back to the roots“ gone and works “with his exercise bikes that made him great”, explained Hüttel. The goal should be clear: to stabilize his suddenly increased performance and get a taste of the World Cup again this winter. Horngacher decided at the start of the season that the inexperienced Martin Hamann and Philipp Raimund would be allowed to prove themselves at the top level, which they demonstrably did.
Will DSV’s weakness become Eisenbichler’s chance?
But recently the entire German team weakened; in Oberstdorf only Andreas Wellinger was in the top 10 with sixth and seventh place. “I hope he finds his way back – even if it’s late in winter”said ARD ski jumping expert Sven Hannawald about Eisenbichler.
The A squad is now getting ready for the coming weekend in Lahti, Finland and the weekend after Raw Air Tour in Norway. For Eisenbichler, who is in 27th place overall in the Continental Cup, he first goes to Planica and a week later to Lahti. If he doesn’t make it back into the World Cup team, his only option would be the season finale in Planica at the end of March.