The series continues: Andreas Wellinger also made it onto the podium at the second World Cup competition in Lillehammer. Like the day before, he came second behind Stefan Kraft.
The two-time Olympic champion Wellinger flew from the large hill to 135 and 143 meters on Sunday (December 3rd, 2023). For Wellinger it is the third podium in a row. Like the day before, Karl Geiger had to settle for fourth place, but his performance was once again “super happy“.
Horngacher “very satisfied”
The German ski jumpers are continuing their great series: in each of the four World Cup competitions so far, at least one DSV eagle has been on the podium. In addition, five German athletes made it into the top twelve: Pius Paschke (7th), Stephan Leyhe (11th) and Philipp Raimund (12th).
“We are very happy with the weekend“, said national coach Stefan Horngacher happily in the ZDF interview. For him and his team, the home World Cup in Klingenthal is now coming up. “The fact that we now have a home World Cup in this situation is great. Maybe then we can get our first win.”
Kraft keeps doing Kraft things
Stefan Kraft continued his high flight in the truest sense of the word. The Austrian was also unbeatable in the fourth World Cup competition this winter and continues to extend his lead in the overall World Cup. However, after jumps to 134 and 141.5, Kraft’s lead of 5.9 points in the final score was not as huge this time as in previous days. With Jan Hörl (139 and 137.5 meters), another Austrian landed on the podium.
“It’s indescribable. You can only be grateful that you can experience such a wave of success“, said Kraft, who leads the overall World Cup with the maximum score of 400 points ahead of Wellinger (270). His simple secret of success: “When I have to go to the limit, the best jumps currently come out.” Horngacher also recognized the Austrian’s class without envy. “Strength simply jumps better. But we won’t give up and will fight to replace him there.“
Wellinger and Geiger in top form
Geiger showed in the first round why he is currently in a good mood. With 136.5 meters and a clean landing, he secured an excellent starting position with third place. At this point, Kraft was only 4.4 points ahead. Lurking right behind Geiger was Wellinger, who had made it to 135 meters with a shortened run-up.
In the final, Wellinger went one better and took the lead with 143 meters. Geiger was also doing well, but couldn’t quite counter with 139 meters. In the end, he was 3.6 points behind his teammate Wellinger. And it was almost enough for the man from Traunstein to win, but Kraft was once again undeterred and jumped to the next success with strong nerves.
“It was extremely exciting“Wellinger beamed afterwards.”In the end I really hit one again. It was fun. The result gives us security. We are solid and will do our best to continue in Klingenthal.”
Strength Team performance – only Hamann falls away
Paschke also underlined his good form. In the first round he even flew to 139 meters, but had some points deducted because of the wind. In the final he added another meter and came seventh. Leyhe and Raimund also delivered solid jumps – especially in the second round. Leyhe moved up to eleventh place after 131 and 138 meters, and Raimund also improved after 124.5 meters in the first round to 131 meters in the final and ultimately came twelfth.
Only Martin Hamann had to give up again from a German perspective. After he had barely made it into the second round on Saturday, this time he clearly failed in the final with 112 meters. Now the German champions hope to find their way back to their old strength next weekend in Klingenthal. “In Klingenthal I’ve fortunately proven several times this year that I can do it“Hamann said optimistically.