Germany's new ski jumping face: The man they call "Hille" "just doesn't give a shit"

Created: 01/04/2023 10:55 am

By: Andreas Knobloch

Ski jumping hope Philipp Raimund convinces at the Four Hills Tournament.

© IMAGO / Eibner

If Karl Geiger or Markus Eisenbichler weaken at the Four Hills Tournament, other German ski jumpers have the opportunity.

Just like Philipp Raimund. 

Innsbruck – It really wasn't and isn't the Four Hills Tournament for German ski jumpers.

Karl Geiger raised hopes at the start in Oberstdorf, weakened in the New Year's competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and failed disastrously in the qualification for the third competition in Innsbruck.

Andreas Wellinger is the only one who jumps reasonably far at the front, but he also has nothing to do with the overall ranking of the tour.

But there is a small, new star in the German winter sports sky.

Ski jumping newcomer Philipp Raimund convinces: "Extremely inexperienced"

The little beacon of hope is nicknamed "Hille".

As the new face of ski jumping in Germany, he has already given a number of interviews, where he beamed into the camera with a grin.

"Hille is really a funny and bright guy, I would also say an extroverted guy.

He approaches people.

He's extremely clueless.

I think he just doesn't give a shit," said Karl Geiger about his teammate Philipp Raimund.

The 22-year-old is the youngster in Stefan Horngacher's team.

The young man drew attention to himself with 14th place in Oberstdorf and 15th place in Garmisch.

The Oberstdorfer by choice also attracted attention with his bold manner and his refreshing interviews.

“Sometimes the coaches have to slow him down.

When he is in his euphoria, he would only give autographs and interviews - and miss the next jump," said Geiger with a dash of exaggeration.

In the past five or six years, Germany's ski jumping team has always consisted of the same faces, and now a new one is coming along.

"Hille" self-critical, even after eleventh place: Raimund wants to "keep consistent tension" in Innsbruck

Horngacher sees all sporting basics in the protégé.

“It is simply a process over the next few years to make even better use of this potential.

Then he will take the step so that he is at the top,” said the 53-year-old.

Where he still has room for improvement in terms of sport, he has already reached the top in another category: as a conversation partner.

"Sometimes you have to ask yourself if he doesn't have a hairdresser - because he tells everything," said Horngacher on the press podium.

Geiger and Andreas Wellinger sat next to the coach and immediately had to grin.

Raimund is qualified again for the jumping on January 4th (in our live ticker).

With 121.5 meters, Hille was again the best German and took eleventh place.

"I had a bit of a problem in flight, tomorrow I'll have to keep the tension more consistent.

Then there are still two or three meters more and maybe a better landing,” said Raimund afterwards.

He has to play against the American Dean Decker - certainly not a problem in Raimund's current form.

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