Ski Jumping: DSV Eagles Start with a Bang

Pius Paschke Claims Surprise Victory

Pius Paschke, the seasoned veteran, triumphed decisively at a windy World Cup opener in Lillehammer.

Paschke surprised everyone by taking first place, celebrating his second career win. After the first round, he had placed sixth with a jump of 131.5 meters, but he then dazzled in the finals with a dream jump of 138.5 meters. With a total of 317.1 points, he led ahead of Austria's Daniel Tschofenig (309.2) and Maximilian Ortner (307.1).

ARD expert Sven Hannawald exclaimed "Hammer!" into the microphone after Paschke's second jump, reflecting the excitement of the moment.

The German commentator, Tom Bartels, praised Paschke’s performance, noting how far he had come after being on the brink of retirement a few years ago.

Other German Competitors

While Paschke soared high, the other German jumpers had mixed results. Top jumper Andreas Wellinger fought back from a poor first jump to finish in twelfth place, avoiding a disheartening start. Karl Geiger found himself at a disadvantage due to strong tailwinds, finishing in 17th place. Meanwhile, Markus Eisenbichler, competing in his first World Cup since March 2023, ended up in 24th place, showing he still has a way to go to regain his former strength.

Philipp Raimund placed 22nd, while Stephan Leyhe finished in 28th. Youngster Adrian Tittel made his World Cup debut, ranking 29th and collecting his first points thanks to a podium finish at the Junior World Championships.

Overall, the German team showcased strong depth, with all seven of their participants finishing within the points. They look to advance further in the second individual event scheduled for Sunday, following the women's competition.

Providing coverage with support from Sport-Informations-Dienst (SID).