Seven German ski jumpers want to show off at the 71st Four Hills Tournament and fly out of the outsider role into the limelight. Germany’s best ski jumper Karl Geiger leads the squad.
In addition to Geiger, Markus Eisenbichler, Andreas Wellinger, Stephan Leyhe, Pius Paschke, Constantin Schmid and Philipp Raimund can look forward to the spectacle. Coach Stephan Horngacher is counting on the current World Cup team. Raimund, who started in the Continental Cup last time and with two wins and a second place, made people sit up and take notice. It will be the first full tour for the 22-year-old. So far he has “only” been part of the national group, which is allowed to start in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Raimund: “Didn’t see my coach’s flag”
Raimund still remembers his only appearance so far on the tour in Oberstdorf – on December 29th, 2019. “There was the best vibe I’ve ever experienced. I was sitting in front of it on top of the bar and it was like a flash – I couldn’t see my own coach’s flag anymore because there’s so much black-red-rold to see below was.” The premiere was there to gain experience. The placements (34/Oberstdorf, 39/Garmisch-Partenkirchen) are more of a side issue. If Raimund manages to keep his cool despite all the hustle and bustle, there should be more, especially since he is Innsbruck “Favorite Hill” designated.
The strenght is to be found in serenity
All in all, the Germans are traveling to the prestigious tour after a shaky start with lowered expectations. Nevertheless, coach Stefan Horngacher exudes optimism. One is confident because the shape curve is pointing upwards, according to the coach. The team has worked calmly and patiently over the past few weeks, taking step by step in the right direction. You want to continue this process during the tour.
“You can’t win the tour in the first competition – but you can lose. Therefore: start calmly and concentrated and be at the front if possible!“, says Andreas Wellinger. The individual Olympic champion from 2018 was in top form in the summer, then “unforeseen incidents” brought him out of step. First the problems with the ankle, then damage to the ski during transport. “I am confident that the knot will unravel – the sooner the better.”
Eisenbichler: Tournament winner has legendary status
Markus Eisenbichler also has to be patient. The former safe podium jumper has had a wild ride with more lows than highs. In doing so, Bayern lost confidence. When he thinks about the tour “Then my eyes light up. If you win the tour, you have the status of a legend. Especially as a German. It’s about time that one of us did it again.”
Geiger is currently most likely to be capable of this from the DSV team. The man from Oberstdorf is seventh overall and therefore the best German. Geiger has sailed far this season, what was missing was consistency. He wants to be patient, said Geiger, who, like Eisenbichler, will start at the Four Hills Tournament for the eleventh time.
| Surname | Old | Association | Tour participations | Best tour placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Markus Eisenbichler | 31 | TSV Siegsdorf | 11 | 2nd (2018/19) |
Karl Geiger | 29 | oberstdorf | 11 | 2nd (2020/21) |
Stephan Leyhe | 30 | SC Willingen | 8th | 3rd (2018/2019) |
Pius Paschke | 32 | WSV Kiefersfelden | 8th | 20. (2019/20 |
Philip Raimund | 22 | SC Oberstdorf | 2 | 50th (2019/20) |
Constantine Schmid | 23 | WSV Oberaudorf | 7 | 16th (2019/20) |
Andrew Wellinger | 27 | SC Ruhpolding | 9 | 2nd (2017/2018) |
| date | contest | venue |
|---|---|---|
12/28/2022 | Qualification (from 4.30 p.m./ticker) | oberstdorf |
12/29/2022 | Competition (from 4.30 p.m./ticker) | oberstdorf |
12/31/2022 | Qualification (from 2 p.m./live stream) | Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
01/01/2023 | Competition (from 2 p.m./live stream and ticker) | Garmisch-Partenkirchen |
01/03/2023 | Qualification (from 1.30 p.m./live stream and ticker) | innsbruck |
01/04/2023 | Competition (from 1.30 p.m./live stream and ticker) | innsbruck |
01/05/2023 | Qualification (from 4.30 p.m./ticker) | Bischofshofen |
01/06/2023 | Competition (from 4.30 p.m./ticker) | Bischofshofen |