Ski jumping - Planica instead of Garmisch: Eisenbichler's unusual end to the year
Markus Eisenbichler is facing an unusual New Year's Eve. Instead of toasting with his team colleagues in a cozy atmosphere at the team hotel and then mentally preparing for the New Year's competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, as in previous years, the six-time world champion will be looking for his ski jumping form during training in Planica, Slovenia.
The 72nd Four Hills Tournament will definitely take place without the long-time top performer. Even the national group, which allows additional athletes to take part in the home event, will not be enough.
Crisis a mystery
An end to the low is not in sight. The 32-year-old's current crisis is also a mystery to ski jumping legend Sven Hannawald. "It's a bit bitter," said the 2002 overall tour winner recently on ARD. "Once he's in his spiral, he's incredibly difficult to get out of it. Jumpers like him then try to force it, then it gets even worse."
In December, a sponsor had advertised a ticket competition with Eisenbichler for the New Year's competition. The federal police officer has not been part of national coach Stefan Horngacher's A squad since the start of the season. The latter had recently made critical comments about the Bavarian.
The qualification will take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on New Year's Eve (1.45 pm/ZDF and Eurosport). The competition will then take place on January 1st (14:00/ZDF and Eurosport).
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Markus Eisenbichler, despite being a six-time world champion, won't be participating in the New Year's competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen due to his current crisis in ski jumping. Instead, he'll be training in Planica, Slovenia, hoping to find his form before the new year.
The absence of Eisenbichler is significant as the 72nd Four Hills Tournament, a renowned Winter sports event in Germany, will be lacking one of its long-time top performers.
Sven Hannawald, a ski jumping legend, has expressed his concern about Eisenbichler's situation, stating that once he gets into a spiral, it's challenging to get him out.
In December, a sponsor had organized a ticket competition for the New Year's competition, with Eisenbichler as the main attraction. However, Eisenbichler, who has not been part of the national coach Stefan Horngacher's A squad since the start of the season, won't be participating in the tournament.
The qualification for the New Year's competition will take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, on New Year's Eve, with the actual competition taking place on January 1st.
Eisenbichler's unusual New Year's Eve plans are a stark contrast to the usual celebrations in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a popular destination for New Year's Eve jumping events, located in the beautiful Alpine region of Bavaria, Germany.
The World Cup in ski jumping and Nordic skiing often features athletes from various countries, including Slovenia, where Eisenbichler will be training.
Eisenbichler's struggles are not unique to the world of ski jumping. Many athletes often face challenges and crises in their careers, requiring resilience and determination to overcome them.
Source: www.stern.de
