Ski jumping - Wellinger on tour victory: Want it like every spectator
Ski jumper Andreas Wellinger is not annoyed by persistent questions about Germany's first overall victory at the Four Hills Tournament in 22 years.
"We are happy that we have the attention at this time of year and that many sports enthusiasts are watching us," said the 28-year-old in an interview with Bild am Sonntag. "And because we want to win the tour just as much as every spectator."
The last time a German ski jumper won the traditional tour was Sven Hannawald at the turn of the year 2001/2002. This time, it starts on Thursday with the qualification in Oberstdorf, followed by the competitions in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen, where the tour ends on January 6.
Aware of their own role
"We want a jumper with a German flag to finally be at the top again on January 6. We've been very, very close very often," emphasized Wellinger. It will be easier for him because he knows what to expect. "And because I've often been in different situations in the meantime: in the underdog role or also in the favorite role."
The Olympic champion has now fully recovered from the consequences of a cruciate ligament rupture and, alongside Karl Geiger and this winter's amazingly strong veteran Pius Paschke, is regarded as a German hopeful.
He is extremely proud that he never gave up, said Wellinger and emphasized: "I actually never had any doubts." He had always known that he wanted to get back on the hill and back to the top. "I kept going because I knew I could do it. And because I always had fun doing it." If he loses the fun, he will let it go. "No matter how good I am at the time," Wellinger emphasized.
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- Andreas Wellinger is aiming to replicate Sven Hannawald's overall victory in the Four Hills Tournament, a feat last achieved by a German ski jumper 22 years ago in Berlin.
- The Four Hills Tournament, also known as the 'Tour', kicks off in Oberstdorf on Thursday, with events in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen before concluding in Austria on January 6.
- Despite being a tournament favorite, Wellinger is no stranger to underdog roles or the pressure of being a favorite, thanks to his prior experiences in the ski jumping circuit.
- The German trio of Wellinger, Karl Geiger, and veteran Pius Paschke is seen as a strong contender for the overall victory in the Four Hills Tournament, with Geiger already boasting impressive performances this season.
- Andreas Wellinger, the Olympic champion, remains focused on his love for ski jumping and his desire to claim an overall victory at the Four Hills Tournament, promising to retire if he ever loses enjoyment for the sport.
Source: www.stern.de
