It’s been 24 years since Sven Hannawald won the Four Hills Tournament for Germany. Two years ago Andreas Wellinger managed at least one day’s victory in Oberstdorf. But the Upper Bavarian is far from that this year. Philipp Raimund and Felix Hoffmann positioned themselves for this at the dress rehearsal. How good are the DSV Eagles in shape?
Philipp Raimund – greatest German Tour hope
With currently fourth place in the overall World Cup, Philipp Raimund can celebrate Christmas in a relaxed manner. From a German perspective, he then has the best chance of celebrating success at the Four Hills Tournament. The 23-year-old has already been on the podium four times this season. He also impresses with stable top 10 placements in other respects. He is still missing a win, but he is considered one of the favorites for the upcoming tour.
Felix Hoffmann – top form or luck on the hill?
The late starter from Thuringia is really coming into his own this season. After his first podium finish in Lillehammer at the end of November, Felix Hoffmann had high hopes. In the subsequent competitions he almost always finished in the top 15. At the dress rehearsal in Engelberg, he once again set the course for top form: he won the qualification twice and took second and third place in the competition. No matter whether this hill suits him particularly well or whether he is really in top shape – if he can use his strengths, he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Pius Paschke – Season with light and shadow
Last year, the then leader in the overall World Cup started in Oberstdorf as the big favorite to win the tour. Pius Paschke couldn’t quite withstand the pressure, but finished the tour in a good eighth place. This year, the 35-year-old is jumping under the radar in the World Cup and offering a wide range of placements. In Klingenthal he only reached 41st place, but in Ruka he made it into the top ten in ninth place. However, due to his lack of consistency, he is not on the list of favorites for the tour.
Karl Geiger – question mark after World Cup break
The Oberstdorfer had skipped the two most recent World Cup weekends in order to focus intensively on the basics of ski jumping after his dip in form. How successful the World Cup break was and what placements we can expect from him is completely open. His best performance this season is currently 23rd place in Lillehammer. Even a top ten placement would be a reason for Geiger to celebrate.
The German ski jumpers Karl Geiger and Andreas Wellinger.
Andreas Wellinger – Problem solved or just 2nd class?
The situation is similar with teammate Andreas Wellinger. He has also been one of the best German jumpers in recent years. But this winter he often had to struggle with the qualification hurdle. The 30-year-old showed a strong seventh place in Ruka, but unfortunately he was unable to repeat this performance. The other placements this winter were more around places 39 to 47. Whether he will make it out of these second-class placements on the tour remains to be seen.
Luca Roth – Young talent can enjoy
The 25-year-old youngster from Baden-Württemberg is benefiting from the lack of form of his older colleagues this winter. He has already been able to compete in the World Cup twice in the past few weeks. It wasn’t enough for top placements, the prestigious tour was supposed to be one thing for Roth above all else – a pleasure without pressure.
When do you jump?
The tour starts on December 28th with the qualifying competition in Oberstdorf. But things only get really serious on December 29th from 4:30 p.m. (on TV and live stream on Erste). It continues on New Year’s Day at 2 p.m in Garmisch-Partenkirchen before the whole ski jumping entourage continues on to Innsbruck.
The third competition of the tour starts there January 4th at 1:30 p.m. As every year, the ski jump in Bischofshofen concludes the event January 6th. From 4.30 p.m The final decision-jumping takes place there.