Dominator Kraft narrowly beaten
Karl Geiger flies spectacularly to victory
December 9, 2023, 6:08 p.m
The German ski jumpers can celebrate their first World Cup victory of the season: In Klingenthal, Karl Geiger countered the previously unbeatable Austrian Stefan Kraft, who had put in a very strong performance, in a spectacular competition with the last jump.
Karl Geiger gave the German ski jumpers their first victory of the season at the home World Cup in Klingenthal. The 30-year-old jumped 144 and 146 meters in the Saxon winter sports stronghold. He thus relegated the Austrian Stefan Kraft and the Japanese Ryoyu Kobayashi to second and third place. Geiger’s lead over Kraft, who was still the clear leader in the World Cup, was only 1.2 points. Andreas Wellinger in fourth and Pius Paschke in fifth completed another very strong German team result.
In five competitions there were six podium places for national coach Stefan Horngacher’s team. “It was incredibly cool. It was a lot of fun,” said Geiger on ARD. “I never thought I would win.” Horngacher was also enthusiastic. “Karl jumped exceptionally well today. He was super focused,” said the Austrian. “He really showed two great jumps.” Looking at the entire team, the coach said: “Great team, great atmosphere, great success!”
In heavy fog and a great atmosphere, Geiger showed in the first round that he can be counted on as a winning jumper again this season. The five-time world champion celebrated his last World Cup victory in January 2022. But this time it was his turn again after a difficult 2022/23 season, which Geiger finished 11th in the overall World Cup without a World Cup victory: The Oberstdorfer cheered exuberantly with his fists raised. After his second jump he shouted his joy loudly. It was his first podium finish of the winter. Geiger showed that Kraft, who had won all four competitions so far, is beatable. From the German team, Stephan Leyhe in 14th and Martin Hamann (29th) also collected World Cup points.