The emotional worlds in the German double room could hardly have been further apart after the thrilling start of the Four Hills Tournament.
While Karl Geiger really wanted more before the crossing from his home in Oberstdorf to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the rest day, his friend Markus Eisenbichler thought about it after another sporting full flop, even before the famous station on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (both at 2 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport) to withdraw from the traditional event.
“You really think things are going uphill now,” Eisenbichler cursed, who wanted to talk to coach Stefan Horngacher promptly after his exit in the first round. The main question should be answered: Does this “agony”, as Germany’s record world champion Eisenbichler calls his current performances, really make sense?
Geiger in shape in time, Eisenbichler struggles
Room partner Geiger, on the other hand, is in demand after his fourth place in Oberstdorf, where only the victorious Norwegian Halvor Egner Granerud in front of 25,000 spectators scored significantly further in terms of points, not only as a German hope for overall victory, but also as a listener for his ailing buddy, especially in the next few days .
In terms of sport, the 29-year-old violinist got back into shape on time. When he left his Allgäu homeland by car in the direction of Garmisch on Friday, his chances were definitely intact. “I feel very good because I think to myself: I have nothing to lose. I can go on the offensive. And maybe something will come of it. You always have to be ready, you can’t allow yourself to be weak. I’m up for it.” said Geiger.
On his home hill at Schattenberg, the family man once again had an emotional evening, even without his two-year-old daughter Luisa. The fact that Granerud and the two Poles Piotr Zyla and Dawid Kubacki were a bit stronger in the end didn’t bother Geiger. After his meager preliminary work, this result was already to be regarded as a success. “There was pressure on the boiler. I’m very, very happy with that. We’ve come a lot closer and are definitely on the right track,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher.
The great longing for the golden eagle, which has been unfulfilled for 21 years since Sven Hannawald’s triumph in 2002, should end this winter. Despite Andreas Wellinger’s sixth place, there is actually only one contender: Geiger. “He really pulled out his competitive violinist and got on the pedals,” Horngacher praised his top athlete, who, in contrast to his buddy Eisenbichler, who was in serious trouble, showed jumps at the absolute top level in good time.
Eisenbichler: “It just annoys me”
But in the coming stressful days, not only Geiger can become important for Eisenbichler, but also vice versa. At least that’s how head coach Horngacher sees it. “You have to talk to him calmly, but I’ll appeal for him (Eisenbichler) to continue to be there. He can now see it completely relaxed, observe himself a bit and be there for the other guys. That’s important too “said the 53-year-old. The spontaneous and emotional Eisenbichler is popular in the team. A premature exit, which Horngacher is actively trying to avert, could also put a damper on Geiger and Co.
With Eisenbichler (31), however, there seems to be a lot more to it than a few botched jumps at the wrong time. The Bavarian considered retiring in the summer and blamed it on mental problems. “It’s difficult to admit something like that,” said Eisenbichler at Eurosport. Passion and emotions were completely missing after last winter.
“Either I’ll get help or I’ll stop,” said Eisenbichler, describing his thoughts before this season. At least a lack of emotions could not be held against “Eisei” in Oberstdorf. However, these were recently exclusively negative. When he had messed up the qualifying day on Wednesday, Eisenbichler rumbled off in the usual manner. “It just annoys me. I could just throw something together.” The boundless joy that he showed, for example, with his six world championship titles, has not been seen in him for a long time.
