Ski Jumping: Hüttel Wants to Put Season Planning 'to the Test'

German ski jumpers are heading to the Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim not as favorites but as underdogs. After a promising season start, the DSV “Adlers” have been in free fall for weeks, with the competition far ahead in the title chase. This poor performance has raised serious concerns within the German Ski Association (DSV).

Sport Director Horst Hüttel announced that a thorough analysis of the season’s planning is scheduled for the spring. “We definitely need to reexamine certain aspects of how we plan a season,” Hüttel said. He noted that even during the 2023/24 season, a promising start was followed by a downturn in the latter half of the season, an issue that will be revisited after the final World Cup in Planica.

Particular attention is being paid to the ongoing slump of veteran ski jumper Pius Paschke. Once the dominant force in the World Cup with five wins at the season’s start, the 34‐year‐old now finds himself waiting since early January for a top-ten finish. In a Sportschau podcast, Paschke remarked, “We are not going as big favorites. But if you doubt yourself, you are already behind before you even start.” He stressed the need for constant work and maintaining focus, especially as he prepares for the Championships.

Meanwhile, former podium contender Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger, who were expected to spark a turnaround, have not been able to elevate the team’s performance, with the German jumpers failing to reach the podium in 15 consecutive competitions. Hüttel believes that the issue lies primarily on an individual level, noting that each athlete needs to assess and adjust their own performance. “We need boxer-like resilience to keep believing in the positive,” he added.

The first contest for the men will take place on the normal hill on Sunday. Two years ago in Planica, Wellinger earned a silver medal and Geiger a bronze, with the duo even winning gold in the mixed team event thereafter. A strong showing on Sunday might be critical for reversing the current trend.