Ski jumping star as a loudspeaker
“Old fart” Andreas Wellinger gives up all diplomacy
November 22, 2023, 6:28 p.m
Andreas Wellinger is young at heart and experienced at the same time. The world’s best is closer to the critical ski jumping spirit than it has been since the Olympic victory. The 28-year-old is the hope of the German ski jumpers before the season opener on Friday.
Before heading back to wintry Oberstdorf, Garmisch or Scandinavia, Andreas Wellinger had completely different goals. In spring he enjoyed the sun in Mauritius, and in autumn he enjoyed a short summer extension on the Greek island of Mykonos. With tanned skin and great composure, the Olympic ski jumping champion devotes himself shortly before the start of the season to the sport and the reporters, whose “concentrated power” tells him that winter is imminent.
Wellinger’s ordeal was long; since the gold triumph in Pyeongchang in 2018, setbacks and injuries have shaped his eventful career. The 28-year-old Bavarian seems to have shaken all of that off now. Two World Cup medals last winter in Planica, Slovenia were evidence of a great sporting comeback. And as a guy, Wellinger also has that cheeky and light-hearted nature that particularly characterized him when he was younger.
When he was asked about youngster Philipp Raimund and his prospects, Wellinger said very casually: “Are you saying that I’m an old fart?” It’s always good when the boys create pressure. That’s how it was with him back then. “The more people come along, the more meticulous the old bags become. This is the only way we can win together,” says Wellinger, who is one of the favorites for the World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland next weekend, describing the situation.
“We have to pay it forward”
Wellinger is no longer the young wild one. He is now one of the established players, a kind of team captain with diverse experiences. “He’s jumping at a significantly higher level than last year. I’m very confident that Andi will be able to have a clear say this year,” says national coach Stefan Horngacher. The Austrian is already entering his fifth season as head coach at the German Ski Association (DSV). In addition to Wellinger, Karl Geiger, who has been very consistent for years, and the talented Raimund are the bearers of hope this winter.
Over the years, Wellinger has repeatedly tweaked his life as a professional athlete. He moved to Munich, went back to the country, and sometimes did more and sometimes less surfing as a hobby. In ski jumping, however, he continued – with the exception of breaks due to injury – despite many setbacks. But Wellinger is no longer just a simple athlete, but also a kind of loudspeaker. He openly denounces what he doesn’t like.
“I think it’s absolutely stupid”
Regarding a possible helmet design without sponsors, Wellinger says: “I think it’s absolutely stupid. I think that in the long term winter sports will be destroyed as a result.” And that after he had previously hesitated about how he could respond diplomatically in the best possible way. Diplomacy was then less important than clear criticism. No more team jumping at the Olympics? “Damn shame.” Overall, the Ruhpoldinger considers the political power games surrounding the world association FIS to be “somewhat questionable”.
Wellinger is annoyed by the fact that many decisions are made “far above our heads”. But the athletes seem to have given up on these issues. “We are the ones who have to endure it or are allowed to represent it,” said the ski jumper. Good or bad, it “doesn’t matter.”