Ski jumping Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger narrowly missed his first individual podium in over four years. The 27-year-old Bavarian made fourth place in ski flying at the Kulm in Bad Mitterndorf, Austria, after flights of 230 and 230 meters.
Only Norway’s day winner Halvor Egner Granerud, Slovenia’s representative Timi Zajc and Austria’s Stefan Kraft were even better. Wellinger last stood on the podium in an individual in November 2018.
“It won’t be long before I’m back at the award ceremony. It was definitely a cool day. There were two jumps at a really cool level,” Wellinger told ZDF.
“Ski flying is always something special”
Wellinger, who has been plagued by several serious injuries and is showing an upward trend this winter, has placed in the top ten and is now back among the extended world elite. In qualifying on Friday, Wellinger finished second. “Ski flying is always something special. It’s a much greater anticipation.” In a season in which Karl Geiger, who is pausing at the Kulm, and Markus Eisenbichler are massively weakening, Wellinger is increasingly becoming the great German hope. His current motto is: “Have fun.”
Four Hills Tournament winner Granerud is meanwhile still in top form and conquered the yellow jersey of the overall leader for the first time when flying at the Kulm. The Pole Dawid Kubacki (ranks ten and 17) had led the rankings since November and was now replaced for the first time. After the tour, the Ski World Championships in Planica (from February 21st) will be the big highlight of the ski jumping winter. Geiger, who was training in Oberstdorf this weekend, is set to return to the World Cup next week at the home game in Willingen. “It’s a bit boring without him,” commented roommate Eisenbichler.
