Ski jumping: Ski jumper Paschke celebrates his second win of the season

Ski jumper Pius Paschke was able to put on the next yellow jersey at the award ceremony on his favorite hill. The 34-year-old won the large hill competition in Ruka, Finland, celebrating his second win of the season and his third podium of the young season. In icy temperatures and difficult wind conditions, Paschke relegated Jan Hörl to second place with 326.6 points after jumps of 143.5 and 143 meters. The Austrian was 8.9 points behind after sets of 138 and 141.5 meters. His teammate Stefan Kraft came third.

“I’m satisfied. The result today was very good, Pius was excellent again,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher on ZDF. It was a difficult competition. “I hope that he can get used to the yellow jersey. It won’t always be like this, but we have done everything to ensure that his top form lasts as long as possible.” Paschke had won an individual competition and with the mixed team at the start of the World Cup in Lillehammer the previous week. He came second in the second individual.

Overall, the national coach saw significant improvements in the team. Andreas Wellinger, second in the Four Hills Tournament and third in the overall World Cup last season, came fifth after jumping 141 meters twice. “I’m definitely satisfied. The jumps were much, much better. We can continue in the same way,” said the 2018 Olympic champion. Paschke’s success is extremely important for the team. “Pius does his job, he delivers one jump after the next. Sensational,” said Wellinger. Adrian Tittel came 24th, Karl Geiger came 26th.

Markus Eisenbichler also made it into the top ten in eighth place. “The first step has been taken. Top Ten is super cool. But there is still enough to do,” said the veteran, who made it back to the A team after a year of absence.

Due to changing wind conditions, the qualification took two hours longer than planned, meaning that the competition was delayed. “The conditions are difficult. We are happy that we can jump at all,” said Wellinger at halftime. Stephan Leyhe was the only German to miss qualification.

In the competition, Paschke seamlessly continued as he had started the previous week. With 143.5 meters, he managed the longest jump in the first round and was 8.4 points ahead of Hörl, who, like Paschke, celebrated an individual victory the previous week. After Kraft had made the longest jump of the evening with 147 meters in the final, Paschke was challenged. But he stayed cool and celebrated his next success.