Karl Geiger did not fly as fast as possible in his home town of Oberstdorf. Overall, he is only 3.39 meters short of the opening winner Ryoyu Kobayashi. This can still be made up on the following three hills.
Photo: dpa / Daniel Karmann
Strength training was on the agenda for Karl Geiger on the day after the rather disappointing start to the Four Hills Tournament. Then the German ski jumpers set off on the usual route to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where the year 2022 will start with a bang with a bang with the traditional New Year’s event (2 p.m., ZDF). The first overall German tour victory in 20 years remains the longing goal of the Oberstdorfer Geiger and all of his teammates, even if the first doubts became noticeable after Geiger’s fifth place on his home hill.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, even if I wasn’t really aware of it before. You can’t deny that. I find it difficult to take it off. But that is exactly what will be the challenge in the near future. I have to start anew every day, and then it just has to fall into place, «says Geiger. Under these conditions, so the tour second overall and three-time world champion of the previous season, he got the maximum out of Oberstdorf. The pressure to compete with the overall World Cup leader’s yellow jersey as the favorite is more than expected on the “exceptional mental athlete”, as national coach Stefan Horngacher recently described him.
After Geiger had triumphed on his own doorstep last year, there was no German on the podium for the first time in five years at the opening competition of the Ski Jumping Grand Slam. In the first round, the local hero was able to reach third place in the continuous rain, but in the turbulent final phase of the finals he also lacked the necessary wind luck with a shortened run-up. “His jumps were okay, but not of the highest level. But it wasn’t easy for him either, after all, everyone expects so much from him, “commented Horngacher.
Geiger only flew to 131 meters after arch rival Ryoyu Kobayashi had previously sailed to the day’s best distance of 141 meters. In the end, the Japanese high-flyer won with 302 points ahead of the Norwegians Halvor Egner Granerud (299) and Robert Johannson (298). Geiger had 295 points. Three years ago Kobayashi had already won the tour with victories in all four competitions. Only him is still able to do that this season.
With Markus Eisenbichler (281 points), who landed in seventh place, Geiger still has his best friend at his side in the fight for the tour victory. A strong second jump gave Eisenbichler hope for even better results, but: »Of course it’s a shame that we didn’t have anyone on the podium. Still, we won’t let that get us down. “
On the positive side, from a German point of view, Stephan Leyhe, who had returned after a cruciate ligament rupture, was ranked ninth. However, there was also a lot of shade in the Oberstdorf floodlights that day. Team world champion Severin Freund, who fought his way back to the World Cup team for the first time this season, was particularly sad. After a great jump, the veteran was disqualified for a non-compliant suit. “That’s stupid for me and extremely bitter. But I have to accept that because the material has to be right. I have to rework and attack again in Garmisch, “said Freund about the mishap.
The same goes for violinists. The world champion started the four-way battle with a declaration of war: »The tour is due. After 20 years it is time for a German to finally win again. «Perhaps a change in the weather will help: bright sunshine is predicted for the New Year’s competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. On Wednesday Leyhe had stated: “Even heaven weeps.”
Whether sun or rain: 6.1 points or the equivalent of 3.39 meters behind Kobayashi can still be made up in the three remaining jumping tournaments. Especially since the role of “worker, catch-up and hunter” Geiger is perfectly tailored not only in the opinion of head coach Horngacher. Last winter, his previous racer had won the home competition in Oberstdorf and in the end, in second place, clearly missed the overall victory. He was beaten a year ago by Poland’s Kamil Stoch, who this time lost all his chances of defending his title after his sensational break in the first round in Oberstdorf.
Otherwise, however, the competition is particularly strong in the person of Kobayashi and Granerud. Especially since the duo still has aces up their sleeves before the New Year’s show. The Japanese had by far the lowest approach speed of the favorite trio in Oberstdorf – actually a major factor for the flight distance. Nevertheless, he sailed to victory with a spectacular 141 meters. “I will work with my technicians to improve the speed,” the 25-year-old announced for Garmisch. And he added quite self-confidently that he “felt no pressure”.
No wonder, after all, he showed three years ago that he can continue the wave of success for another week after an opening win. On the ski jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he feels “right at home” anyway. The Norwegian Granerud is even better off, who is 2.8 points behind in second place in the overall standings: “Garmisch is my favorite hill on the tour.” A year ago he landed in second place and even in weak winters he flew to New Year’s always particularly strong: »I feel a lot better than last year. When I jump well, really great things can happen. «Especially since Granerud has two teammates at his side, Robert Johannson (3rd) and Marius Lindvik (4th), should it not work out for him.
Karl Geiger also hopes for team spirit. His roommate Eisenbichler has already announced that he will fully serve the shaky hopes of the tour: “I’m trying to support Karl so that he has things a little quieter.” Whether that gives enough strength for the long-awaited German tour victory remains to be seen maybe on Saturday.
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