Winter sports
Bright spot after a difficult start: Hoffmann jumps onto the podium
Felix Hoffmann is celebrating a special ski jumping premiere in Lillehammer. His older teammates, on the other hand, have problems – especially Andreas Wellinger.
Felix Hoffmann laughed and celebrated his podium debut with his teammates. The 28-year-old gave the German ski jumping team reason to be happy at the end of an arduous World Cup weekend. “It was very cool, I’m very pleased,” said Hoffmann on ARD. Then he rushed to the award ceremony.
Hoffmann jumped to third place in Lillehammer, Norway, and onto a World Cup podium for the first time in his career. The images of his smile contrasted with the disappointed faces of experienced teammates.
Wellinger: Creeping process as a “sour dog”
Andreas Wellinger seemed to be looking for a solution to his jumping problems when he talked to himself immediately after landing. The 2018 Olympic champion started the XXL season with bitter disappointments with the Four Hills Tournament, the Olympics and the World Flying Championships in Oberstdorf. Wellinger was eliminated from qualifying on Saturday and missed the second round in 40th place the next day.
“It’s far from any ease or self-confidence,” said Wellinger on ARD after his last jump of the messed up weekend at 123.5 meters. “At the moment it’s important that I build up a feeling again.” But it also became clear: This won’t happen overnight.
Although you can adjust a lot of things in ski jumping, you often don’t notice an effect straight away, explained Wellinger. This gradual process is sometimes “a mess,” the 30-year-old noted.
The day before he had chosen clear words and said: “I’m hanging over the corner like a bird that has been killed.” The fact that the material has changed as a result of rule changes following the scandal surrounding the manipulated jumpsuits of Norwegian jumpers at the last World Cup does not make things any easier.
Geiger and Paschke are also not in top form
Wellinger is not the only veteran in national coach Stefan Horngacher’s team who is currently having difficulties. Karl Geiger took 23rd place on Sunday. His first attempt at 127 meters gave him hope. “I know that I have to bake little rolls right now. But this is going in the right direction,” said the 32-year-old and confirmed the impression after his second attempt at 126.5 meters. Pius Paschke, who is three years older, ended up in 27th place.
Hoffmann, on the other hand, jumped to 139 and 138 meters. He won directly ahead of his fourth-placed teammate Philipp Raimund. “I’m very satisfied. Of course you’d prefer to give up a podium place to your teammate,” said the 25-year-old.
The Japanese Ryoyu Kobayashi secured victory, second place went to Domen Prevc from Slovenia. The day before, Austria had dominated. Four Hills Tournament winner Daniel Tschofenig won ahead of his two teammates Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft.
The athletes will continue with the next World Cup on Tuesday in Falun, Sweden.
dpa
