Violinist “can go to Garmisch free”
With Granerud, however, his flight system seems to fit again just in time for the tour, the form curve of the past weeks is pointing steeply upwards. The Norwegian was also runner-up in the New Year’s event last year, when Geiger finished fifth and Kobayashi finished seventh.
And what are the advantages of violinists? Undoubtedly the consistency this season. Of the top trio, the man from Oberstdorf also showed the best results in Garmisch over the past five years. Geiger also feels more comfortable on the Olympic hill than on his home hill in the Allgäu. “He can now go to Garmisch liberated”, knows Horngacher.
Horngacher: “Jump on with joy and enthusiasm”
“Now it’s time to turn something down and then turn it up again at the right moment”, Geiger sets the schedule for the qualification on Friday and the New Year’s competition on Saturday. Horngacher put it similarly: “Now it’s time for Garmisch to continue there, to jump on the tour with joy and enthusiasm”said the national coach. In order for the plan to work out, Horngacher asked his jumpers to do some strength training on Thursday morning, then the entourage drove to Garmisch, about 100 kilometers from Oberstdorf. In the afternoon and evening the German “eagles” have free time.
Horngacher after a suit blunder: “Doesn’t happen anymore”
But one thing shouldn’t happen in Garmisch: A mishap like in Oberstdorf, when veteran Severin Freund was disqualified from the top 10 course because of an irregular suit. “A bit of bad luck” I had friends, says Horngacher the day after the material failure. “If you have to prepare things for seven people, things can go wrong”, explains the national coach – and promises: “We have things under control, I think that won’t happen to us anymore.”
Look at the finals – “All chances open”
Horngacher also expects a lot from the further course and its three top people Geiger, Eisenbichler and Leyhe. And the 52-year-old already has one anticipated wish for the New Year: “It would be nice if we could still jump for the win on January 6th and we are at the top of the last jump and all chances are still open”, Horngacher is hoping for the tour finals in Bischofshofen in just over a week.