German victory also in Garmisch ?: Geiger jumps strong, Eisenbichler stronger

Thursday December 31, 2020

German victory in Garmisch too?
Geiger jumps strong, Eisenbichler stronger

Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger convince in the qualification for the New Year's competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. But the competition also flexes its muscles at the Four Hills Tournament. A top jumper has to capitulate with a severe toothache.

In view of the public ban on firecrackers, Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger said goodbye to the old ski jumping year without the big bang, but underlined their ambitions for a dream start into the new. In a high-class qualification for the New Year's competition of the Four Hills Tournament in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a strong Eisenbichler flew in third place, and Oberstdorf winner Geiger also showed no weakness in fifth.

"The qualification jump was strong, but I struggled very hard today," said Eisenbichler before the first sporting highlight of 2021 on Friday. "I had such firm thighs, the training was a cramp. Luckily the physiotherapist still helped. We'll get that under control by tomorrow." The jumping starts on New Year's Day at 2 p.m., the ARD and Eurosport broadcast live. ntv.de is there with a live ticker.

The 29-year-old flew at 135.5 m, ahead of him was Anze Lanisek from Slovenia (139.0) and Halvor Egner Granerud from Norway. At 143.0 m, he achieved by far the largest distance, but did not set a telemark. Geiger only reached 132.0 m, but had more difficult wind conditions.

"The jumps were at a good level. Not perfect, but that was a good sign today," said the 27-year-old, who was enthusiastic about his friend Eisenbichler: "Eisei was strong, he can really do the hill."

"The quality is high"

National coach Stefan Horngacher also acknowledged the first appearance of his aces in "GAP" with satisfaction. "Those were solid jumps, the quality is high," said the Austrian and said goodbye with his boys in a quiet end to the year. "There is no New Year's Eve celebration, nothing at all – we have to keep our Corona concept."

In the previous year Geiger had won the qualification and took second place in the competition. Since Sven Hannawald on January 1, 2002, no German jumper has won at Gudiberg. Hannawald also made the last German overall victory on the tour perfect five days later.

Nine out of twelve German jumpers made it into the competition field – but with a large gap to the two top people. The third best German was Richard Freitag in 21st place, Severin Freund came 23rd.

Toothache stop Lindvik

Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger (Ruhpolding), who was only 53rd, was eliminated. For the overall second from 2017/18, who is fighting for the connection after a cruciate ligament operation, the tour in Austria should not continue. "I have to accept that, it's a difficult task. Sooner or later the knot will open," said the 25-year-old.

Meanwhile, Geiger has lost a tough competitor in the fight for overall victory. The Norwegian Marius Lindvik, third at the start in Oberstdorf and last year's winner in Partenkirchen, surrendered to severe toothache on Thursday and went to Innsbruck for medical treatment. The 22-year-old is not allowed to compete without a start in qualification.

The Russian team had previously caused the next corona vortex. As the organizers announced on Thursday, a Russian athlete tested positive for Covid-19 as part of the routine controls in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and went into quarantine, as did three other team members, including a second jumper. The only reported Russian starter who did not take part in the qualification on New Year's Eve was Daniil Sadrejew.