Ski jumping: Karl Geiger leads German touring line

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Karl Geiger

Photo: GIAN EHRENZELLER / EPA

World Cup leader Karl Geiger leads the German ski jumpers for the 70th Four Hills Tournament (December 28th to January 6th), which begins on Tuesday with the qualification in Oberstdorf.

In addition to the local hero from Oberstdorf, national coach Stefan Horngacher was able to nominate six more jumpers for the four competitions, one more than in the last World Cup.

»The tradition of the tour is unique.

We are proud to be able to help shape another chapter.

Even if it is of course very regrettable if the ranks remain empty this year due to the pandemic, ”said Horngacher.

Geiger comes to his home in the Allgäu in the yellow jersey, where the first highlight of the season begins on the hill on Wednesday (4.30 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport).

"We know that we can do the hills, we are well positioned and accept the challenge as a team," said Geiger.

Ex-world champion Severin Freund is also on the tour

Former world champion Severin Freund (Rastbüchl) won the additional quota place for the German team through strong performances in the Continental Cup, the 33-year-old also takes the place himself on the tour.

As expected, Horngacher also relies on six-time world champion Markus Eisenbichler, Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger, Stephan Leyhe, Constantin Schmid and Pius Paschke.

Five of these seven jumpers have already stood on the podium of the overall ranking during the tour: Geiger (2nd 2020/21 and 3rd 2019/20), Freund (2nd 2015/16), Wellinger (2nd 2017/18), Eisenbichler (2nd 2018/19) and Leyhe (3rd 2018/19).

The last German tour victory by Sven Hannawald (2001/02) was 20 years ago.

Unlike usual, no national group will start in Oberstdorf.

The »second row« can only prove itself at the New Year's event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

It remains to be seen whether the eight-time World Cup winner Richard Freitag will also be there, who recently only jumped in the third-class FIS Cup.

By renouncing Oberstdorf, Horngacher kept the possibility open of sending a national group into the race at a later home World Cup.

Titisee-Neustadt (January 22/23), Willingen (January 29/30) and ski flying in Oberstdorf (March 19/20) are possible options.

ara / dpa / sid