Ski Jumping World Cup in Engelberg
Ski jumper Paschke wins his first World Cup victory at the age of 33
Ski jumper Pius Paschke achieved a distance of 135 meters twice at the World Cup in Engelberg. photo
© Philipp Schmidli/KEYSTONE/dpa
The German ski jumpers are absolutely on track shortly before the tour. A double victory in Engelberg fuels hopes of a great triumph at the highlight of the season.
Ski jumping routine Pius Paschke achieved his first victory in the World Cup at the age of 33 and raised hopes of a successful Four Hills Tournament.
The Bavarian jumped 135 meters twice in Engelberg and improved from sixth place to the top thanks to his excellent second attempt. Just a few weeks ago, late starter Paschke achieved his first ever individual podium. Marius Lindvik from Norway and Stefan Kraft from Austria finished behind the German.
“Hats off to Pius. I don’t believe it,” said ex-ski jumper Severin Freund on ZDF. The worst sufferer in the second round was Andreas Wellinger, who was passed from first place to twelfth place. Paschke’s victory was the third German success in a row after Karl Geiger recently won both competitions in Klingenthal. National coach Stefan Horngacher’s team achieved a total of nine podium places in seven competitions.
Things didn’t go as well for all German athletes as Paschke did. Philipp Raimund was disqualified in the first round. Geiger (124 and 128 meters) in 20th place and Stephan Leyhe (122.5 and 123.5 meters) in 26th place, who have been strong so far this season, fell short of expectations in the picturesque town at the foot of the Titlis. “I didn’t get into the flight system cleanly. That wasn’t planned,” said Geiger. The individual on Sunday (4 p.m./ZDF and Eurosport) is the dress rehearsal for the tour, which begins on December 29th in Oberstdorf.