Rydzek and Rießle clearly back after jumping
On the other hand, the two veterans in the German team, Johannes Rydzek and Fabian Rießle, have serious concerns about Beijing. Despite upwind conditions, both of them didn’t reach top distances and have to make up a lot of ground on the cross-country ski run if the internal qualification is to work. The chances for Rydzek (20th) after 129 meters (+1:55 min.) are even better than those of Rießle (34./123.5 m/ + 2:46 min.).
Four athletes from the B team
In addition to the World Cup starters, there were four German athletes from the national group. With 121 meters, Wendelin Thannheimer advertised himself. Christian Frank (115 m), Jakob Lange (115 m) and David Mach (107.5 m), on the other hand, are more than four minutes behind in cross-country skiing.
Because the route around Klingenthal is only two kilometers long, it has to be circumnavigated five times.
Two top athletes are missing in Klingenthal
Like last weekend in Val di Fiemme, the World Cup in Saxony will take place without the Norwegian dominator and overall World Cup leader Jarl Magnus Riiber. The exceptional combined athlete, who almost always wins when he starts, is suffering from a back injury. The strong-running Finn Ilkka Herola is also missing due to a corona infection. Meanwhile, the French sent the second guard to Klingenthal. The A-Team prepares at altitude for the Winter Games.