Response After World Championship Kickoff - "When We Were Stomped On, I Said..."

Originally published in Krone on March 04, 2025

Response After World Championship Kickoff - "When We Were Stomped On, I Said..."

Germany's ski jump men have faced considerable criticism this season, and after securing a silver medal at the World Championship opener, they have taken the opportunity to address their detractors. Karl Geiger stated, "When we were stomped on, I said: Don't write us off," expressing his belief in the team's quality. Andreas Wellinger, the silver medalist, noted relief in their achievement, stating, "It’s a liberation for the entire team."

The season had begun on a low note for the German team, with criticism mounting as performances faltered, particularly following the Vierschanzentournee, which turned from a potential triumph to a series of disappointing results.

Despite the previous struggles, the team showcased resilience, with Geiger stating, "We’ve had hard months. Therefore, this silver medal is very, very enjoyable." Wellinger added, "I am confident that we can also fly far on the big hill."

Team coach Stefan Horngacher emphasized the psychological burden lifted with the medal, describing it as a stone removed from the team. He praised his athletes for their perseverance through recent challenges, stating, "Ski jumping experiences rapid fluctuations – thank goodness. We’ve drawn the right conclusions from our setbacks."

In defending the training and strategy decisions from their coach, Geiger remarked, "I need to defend the trainers. They do excellent work. They tried very hard to maintain composure, which isn’t easy under consistent fire from critics."

The ski jumping team's performance at the normal hill event in Trondheim represents a critical turning point as they look forward to upcoming competitions, reinforcing confidence in their abilities as all eyes remain on their next jumps in the series.