Live: Will Karl Geiger win the opening competition of the Four Hills Tournament?

Created: 12/29/2021, 10:18 AM

From: Lukas Rogalla

Great hopes rest on Karl Geiger in the opening competition of the 70th Four Hills Tournament.

© Hahne / Eibner-Pressefoto / Imago Images

The opening competition of the Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf is on.

We report on jumping in the live ticker.

Oberstdorf - Karl Geiger lost the first act of the expected duel to Ryoyu Kobayashi, but he didn't let it bother him at all.

“The basic idea fits.

I think I can approach it with good self-confidence, "said the greatest German ski jumping hope after his second place in the qualification at the start of the 70th Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf with a view to the upcoming competition.

The 28-year-old local hero jumped 127.5 meters and only had to admit defeat to the Japanese.

Four Hills Tournament today: duel between Karl Geiger and Ryoyu Kobayashi

The overall World Cup leading violinist and Kobayashi jumping in impressive form were the top favorites for the competition on the Schattenberg even before their first appearance in the Allgäu.

They are even more so after qualification.

"Nuances will definitely decide, but I think a few others will have their say," said Geiger, when asked about a possible duel with the overall winner of the 2018/19 tour.

The others Geiger referred to could include, for example, the Norwegian Halvor Egner Granerud or the Austrian Stefan Kraft.

Both showed no weakness in the qualification and proved that they can handle the hill even in difficult conditions with strongly changing wind and rain.

Four Hills Tournament: Markus Eisenbichler wants to surprise

Markus Eisenbichler, who was weakening recently, also showed this and should at least have regained some self-confidence with his set of 132 meters - even if he was visibly dissatisfied with his failed landing.

"It's not quite optimal yet," said Eisenbichler, but also spoke of a step in the right direction.

"If the button opens a little again, it could work quite well."

Even in competition, the jumpers have to adjust to uncomfortable conditions again.

"It's getting worse," said Geiger, referring to the weather forecast.

But the man from Allgäu sees it pragmatically: “In the end, you have to adjust to it and see that you make a good jump.” (Lrg)