Karl Geiger secured the next victory in the Ski Jumping World Cup with a fabulous flight at 130 meters. Before the final tour in Norway, the yellow jersey is still possible, but its rival is also not waning.
Lahti (dpa) - The biggest rival opened his mouth in astonishment, the teammates made a little Laola: Karl Geiger won the 1000th World Cup competition for ski jumpers and is also on course for the yellow jersey in the final season phase.
The 27-year-old from Allgäu made a fabulous flight at 130 meters in the snow on Sunday in Lahti, Finland, and was thus able to claim his fourth success this winter. "You could dream it like that. It's a great day. We worked it out," said national coach Stefan Horngacher.
With his flight show in the cold of Lahti, Geiger also left long-time rival and Friday winner Stefan Kraft from Austria, who this time only took second place with 119.5 and 126 meters. In the overall World Cup, there are still four points ahead of Geiger, four jumps before the end, who is currently jumping strongly, but may have to give in to an even more constant pilot in the final accounts. "I was at full throttle. It was really good outside, it was awesome. I'm in a very good shape," said the cheerful violinist on ARD.
The German team is in great shape before the end of the season with a ten-day raw air tour in Norway and the Ski Flying World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, which Constantin Schmid (4th) and Stephan Leyhe (5th) also demonstrated again on Sunday , "I'm consistently satisfied with the jumps. Karl was very good again. Constantin again very good, Stephan again very good. We can be fully satisfied," said Horngacher. If the three-time Seefeld world champion Markus Eisenbichler finds his form before the World Cup, Germany would be a favorite for team gold.
The previous Lahti weekend had already brought unexpected success to the jumpers of the German Ski Association. On Friday the violinist who had just recovered from a cold only had to give up his strength, on Saturday there was even a surprising victory for the quartet around the Allgäu. "I went full attack and thought: All or nothing," Geiger described his approach as a final jumper when he left the rival from Slovenia behind.
Severin Freund, who was once the individual world champion, must also prepare for a long way back to the top of the world. He clearly missed the points twice in Lahti, so the 31-year-old was not an option for the team competition. "I will participate for as long as I am allowed and I am happy about every single competition I get. Raw Air would be a new series for me," Freund said of the upcoming Norway tour.
Horngacher still left open whether he could continue his comeback tour based on mixed results. "There are a few variants in the head, but they are not yet ready for a decision," said the Tyrolean coach to the contingent.
World Cup weekend schedule
Standings in the overall World Cup
Result from Lahti
Fis profile violinist
Fis profile force