Victory in Engelberg
Hymns of praise for ski jumper Paschke: “Wild, old hand”
Ski jumper Pius Paschke won in Engelberg. photo
© Urs Flueeler/KEYSTONE/dpa
Not Kraft, Wellinger or Granerud, but Pius Paschke wins the penultimate ski jumping before the tour. The Bavarian is celebrated in Engelberg.
The currently best ski jumper in the world had the right words ready straight away. When the outstanding Stefan Kraft was loudly shouted at the press podium asking whether he should add two sentences Pius Paschke could say, the Austrian replied directly: “Wild, old hand. To do so in a very difficult time, respect.”
Kraft was third on the day in Engelberg, but this time it wasn’t enough against the 33-year-old premiere winner from Kiefersfelden, Bavaria.
Round beers for everyone
After the ski jumping coup and two jumps of 135 meters each, the Germans were in a party mood. Paschke himself announced a round of beer for everyone. His teammates, who regularly overshadowed him over the years, were genuinely happy for the team’s senior.
“Pius is just a great guy. He’s not only a highly talented athlete, but also a pleasant person. It’s really good for me that he’s at the top for the first time. He deserves it, we’ll toast to that,” said Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger.
His own frustration at having gone from first place to twelfth place in difficult conditions vanished. Karl Geiger praised Paschke’s perseverance and fight. “Rewarding yourself with a win now is more than deserved,” praised Geiger. With his victory, Paschke automatically moves into the narrow circle of favorites for the Four Hills Tournament, which begins on December 29th in Oberstdorf.