World Cup before Christmas: dress rehearsal failed: ski jumpers weaken before the tour

The severe setback immediately before the Four Hills Tournament did not faze Pius Paschke. “If you want to be at the top, you have to take risks. Today it was difficult with the snowfall. It can simply be that you overshoot the mark,” said Paschke after 18th place in the snow in Engelberg – by far his worst so far Seasonal competition.

“Today really wasn’t that good, we didn’t have enough dynamism at the take-off table. The flight performance wasn’t optimal either. We have to live with that,” said a visibly disillusioned national coach Stefan Horngacher on ARD. In the last World Cup before the big ski jump spectacle, Paschke’s jumps of 123 and 129 meters raise serious doubts about the form of the previous surprise high-flyer.

The 34-year-old Bavarian travels to Oberstdorf in yellow, but the dominance of a week ago in Titisee-Neustadt seemed to have disappeared in Switzerland. Karl Geiger (ninth place) and Andreas Wellinger (15th) also didn’t make it onto the podium on Sunday as the snow became increasingly dense.

As on Saturday, the Austrians were there, this time in a three-pack. Daniel Tschofenig won ahead of Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft. When asked whether the ÖSV Eagles scared him with their great form, Paschke replied: “That doesn’t scare you. If you jump well, you can be at the front.” If Tschofenig and Co. can maintain this form over Christmas, they will be the ones to beat on tour.

Yellow bearer never got golden eagle

The day before, Wellinger was the best German and came fourth. Paschke finished tenth. Before the two competitions in Switzerland, at least one German jumper had always made it onto the podium this season.

Even before the traditional final form test in the picturesque village in Switzerland, it was clear: Paschke will lead the overall World Cup throughout the Christmas holidays and right up to the start of the tour. This automatically makes him one of the big favorites at the spectacle around the turn of the year.

Hopes rest on him that a German will win the tour for the first time since Sven Hannawald in 2002. But: Never has a DSV eagle, who traveled to the tour in yellow, left with the golden eagle for the overall winner in their luggage.

“Little mistakes” are already too many

“Everything is within the framework,” the ski jumping oldie emphasized after the first part of the two World Cup individual events. “We already know where we have to start.” After his tenth place on Saturday, the 34-year-old stated soberly: “If you make a few small mistakes, the others will be right there and will jump better.” On Sunday some jumped better than Paschke.

Paschke doesn’t want to think about ski jumping during the break. The police chief from Kiefersfelden is looking forward to contemplative days with his family. Holiday joy with sons and daughters beaming in their children’s eyes instead of the hustle and bustle. Switch off before perhaps the most exciting time in Paschke’s ski jumping life begins.

Being the favorite at the highlight of the competition calendar is something completely new for the late starter. It was only last year that Paschke celebrated his first ever individual World Cup victory – with 33. This season, five wins in ten competitions followed. Does he stand up to the pressure and hype?

Teammate Wellinger knows the feeling of success and the desires of fans and the public. The Olympic champion usually appears relaxed and always has a quick saying on his lips. Wellinger is a media professional – and, alongside Paschke, the second tour hopeful in head coach Horngacher’s team.