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Katharina Althaus on the large hill in her home town of Oberstdorf
Photo: Dieter Mayr / DER SPIEGEL
Hans Schmid stands on the podium next to the large hill and looks down into the empty ski jumping stadium in Oberstdorf.
Around him a panorama like from a postcard, with a view of the Riedberger Horn and the Hochgrat.
A view that the athletes also have shortly before the jump.
Schmid wears a dark multifunctional jacket, his gray hair blows slightly in the wind.
He is full of anticipation, but also full of sadness.
His home town hosts the biggest sporting event that will take place in Germany this year.
But the longed-for winter fairy tale will not be.
In a few days, Oberstdorf will host the Nordic World Ski Championships.
The winter festival for ski jumpers, cross-country skiers and Nordic combiners takes place for the third time after 1987 and 2005 in the tourist town in Oberallgäu with its 10,000 inhabitants.
The organizer had already sold 55,000 tickets.
It was clear to all those involved since last spring that the World Cup would be significantly slimmed down due to the corona.
It has been clear since mid-January that no spectators are allowed at the World Cup.
Instead, cardboard stands adorn the stands.
The organizer calls it "Papplikum".
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