Frustration in the German ski jumping team: Waiting for the first tour!

Frustration in the German ski jumping team: Waiting for the first tour!

Bischofshofen, Österreich - The ski jumping season 2024/2025 has started with mixed results for the German athletes, especially for Pius Paschke. The 34-year-old, who was initially considered a big favorite for the four-hill tour, had to accept a bitter damper in Engelberg when he surprised with a 10th and 18th place. This performance raises questions because Paschke had previously won five out of ten competitions and as a top position in the overall World Cup, such as ZDF . Despite the setback, Paschke is optimistic about the upcoming tour that begins on December 29th in Oberstdorf.

While the pressure on Paschke and his fellow campaigners rise, the mood in the German team is anything but good. Head coach Stefan Horngacher is humorously pondering that there has been no tour for Germany since 2002. "I am not disappointed. Otherwise I would have had to be disappointed for 23 years," notes Horngacher, reflecting the frustration that prevails over the performance of Paschke and his teammates Andreas Wellinger and Philipp Raimund, which is significantly ago in the tour evaluation. As Krone , Raimund, who wrestles for the superiority of the Austrian jumpers, raises the passionate question: "If I only know what the Austrians do, then I would do the same."

The four-hill tour is one of the most prestigious events in ski jumping, and with the last stop in Bischofshofen, the DSV eagles have only one chance to prove their shape. However, Paschke has a clear plan: "I will think from day to day and to ski jump from day," he explains and is ready to accept the challenge. The eyes of the fans are aimed at him and the German team who wants to disappoint to reduce the gap to the Austrian opponents. In the coming week we will see whether the ZDF interview answers from Paschke and the considerations of Horngacher are fruitful or whether the dominance of the ÖSV-eagles remains undisputed.