Germany’s ski jumping hope Andreas Wellinger goes into the final of the 72nd Four Hills Tournament as a clear outsider. The 28-year-old Bavarian jumped 128 meters in the qualification on Friday and took ninth place. His direct rival Ryoyu Kobayashi from Japan managed 138 meters and won the preliminary round with a clear lead. The two Austrians Stefan Kraft and Clemens Aigner landed behind him.
“I was way too late and completely missed the jump table,” Wellinger said after his jump. “Maybe I have to go to Ikea and buy a longer table.” Kobayashi is 4.8 points ahead of the German in the overall ranking. The points and distances from the qualification do not count in the overall ranking. “It is a small, clear setback that you have to accept,” said Sven Hannawald on ARD.
Final on Saturday
The other German jumpers also qualified. Pius Paschke (14th), Karl Geiger (17th), Stephan Leyhe (18th) and Philipp Raimund (40th) jump consistently, but have nothing to do with the absolute best in the world.
Behind Kobayashi and Wellinger, Jan Hörl and Kraft are also in the draw for the overall victory before the final on Saturday (4.30 p.m. on ARD and Eurosport). However, the two Austrians are already well behind the leading duo.
Ralf Weitbrecht, Innsbruck Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3 Ralf Weitbrecht, Innsbruck Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 A comment from Ralf Weitbrecht, Innsbruck Published/Updated:
Shortly before Christmas, an avalanche slid into the run-out of the Paul-Außerleitner ski jump in Pongau. The landing slope and the run-out were damaged and had to be repaired in a short time. Just four days later, the organizers had fixed the problems in Bischofshofen.
