Pius Paschke showcased his ski jumping talent by winning in Ruka with impressive jumps of 143.5 and 143 meters, solidifying his lead in the World Cup standings as the oldest athlete to wear the yellow jersey. National coach Stefan Horngacher praised the team’s performance despite challenging conditions, including severe cold and wind. Andreas Wellinger placed fifth, while Markus Eisenbichler secured eighth. Newcomer Adrian Tittel finished 24th, earning points, while Philipp Raimund and Karl Geiger struggled to qualify for the finals.
Pius Paschke Shines Again in Ruka
In an impressive display of skill, Pius Paschke has once again proven his prowess in the ski jumping world by taking the top spot in Ruka, mirroring his success from Lillehammer. The 34-year-old athlete from WSV Kiefersfelden, who referred to the jump as “the coolest one on the calendar,” clinched victory on Saturday evening (November 30) with remarkable jumps of 143.5 and 143 meters. He outperformed Austria’s Jan Hörl and Stefan Kraft, extending his lead in the overall World Cup standings as the oldest competitor to wear the coveted yellow jersey.
Coach’s Optimism Amid Challenging Conditions
National coach Stefan Horngacher expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance despite the harsh conditions. He noted, “It was really a difficult competition, but the guys implemented things well. Everyone improved technically.” Horngacher emphasized the importance of maintaining composure as they move forward, hoping that Paschke’s stellar form continues.
Despite the bitter cold, with temperatures plunging to minus 15 degrees Celsius, the German team remained in high spirits. The competitors faced challenging winds that affected the flow of the event. Notably, while the training jump was prolonged, the actual competition proceeded more smoothly, yielding positive outcomes for most German athletes, with only Philipp Raimund falling short of qualifying for the finals.
Andreas Wellinger also stood out, securing a commendable fifth place with consistent jumps of 141 meters. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance, reinforcing his position as a strong contender. Meanwhile, Markus Eisenbichler, having bounced back from a difficult previous season, achieved eighth place with solid jumps of 135 and 142 meters, showcasing his improvement and determination.
Among newcomers, Adrian Tittel made his mark by finishing 24th, earning World Cup points in his debut. However, his teammate Philipp Raimund faced disappointment, narrowly missing the second round with a jump of only 115 meters. Karl Geiger managed to qualify but struggled to demonstrate his full potential, finishing in 26th place.
For Stephan Leyhe, the competition ended prematurely as he failed to qualify due to unfavorable wind conditions. The first competition in Ruka set the stage for an exciting winter sports season filled with ski jumping, alpine skiing, and various other thrilling events.