Two Jumps Against the Crisis – But Also New Lows

During the World Cup event in Willingen, the German ski jumping team faced a crisis as their hopes for a podium finish were dashed. Although Andreas Wellinger achieved a first jump of 142 meters – a distance that earned him some personal satisfaction and brought him into contention – his second jump of 138.5 meters dropped him two places, leaving him in 12th overall. Similarly, Philipp Raimund put up respectable first-round numbers with a jump of 136 meters despite headwinds, but a reduced second effort of 133.5 meters cost him dearly, dropping him from 12th to 15th place.

The report contrasts these performances with the dominant displays of the international field. Austrian jumper Daniel Tschofenig celebrated his victory with an impressive 150-meter jump, while Norwegian Johann André Forfang pushed the pace with a 152-meter leap before Tschofenig’s counter of 148 meters secured the win. German hopefuls such as Pius Paschke, who missed out on reaching the final by finishing 31st, and Karl Geiger, who ended up in 33rd place, exemplify the ongoing struggles within the team. Other athletes including Felix Hoffmann and Adrian Tittel also failed to progress, further underscoring the turbulent state of German ski jumping at the event.

In the wake of these results, discussions about taking a break to regroup have emerged, with veteran voices recalling past instances where time off helped restore form. However, while some, like Karl Geiger, dismiss the idea of a pause, the overall mood reflects frustration and uncertainty as the German team faces a challenging period on the international stage.