The ski jumping season concluded in Planica, Slovenia, with heightened excitement as Andreas Wellinger aims to excel in the final competition. After a historic win in the Raw Air Tour, he is set to compete in the ‘Planica 7’ series while chasing the ski flying World Cup title. Meanwhile, Austrian athletes Daniel Tschofenig and Jan Hörl vie for the coveted big crystal globe. The final week promises thrilling events across various winter sports, culminating in dramatic showdowns.
The Exciting Conclusion of the Ski Jumping Season in Planica
The ski jumping season came to a thrilling close last weekend in Planica, Slovenia. Following impressive performances in Vikersund, Andreas Wellinger is eager to showcase his skills in ski flying. Additionally, the competition heats up as it will determine which Austrian athlete will claim the prestigious big crystal globe.
Anticipation Builds for the Final Competition
The ski jumping World Cup for the 2024/25 season is reaching its final chapter in the breathtaking Julian Alps. As the Letalnica venue prepares for the upcoming events, fans are buzzing with excitement, looking forward to a spectacular display of skill and talent from the jumpers.
Andreas Wellinger has made history by winning the Raw Air Tour for the first time, securing the overall triumph with a remarkable second-place finish in Vikersund. His stellar performance included a breathtaking jump that contributed to his victory.
Despite a slight dip in momentum following his recent successes, the 29-year-old from Ruhpolding is filled with enthusiasm for the season’s finale. “The anticipation for the long ski flying weekend in Planica is immense. I feel energized, and I’m ready for the season to really take off,” Wellinger shared, brimming with excitement.
While his chances may be slim, Wellinger still has opportunities to shine. He aims to excel in the seventh edition of the ‘Planica 7’ competition series, which aggregates all weekend jumps to declare a winner. Currently, he is in a tight race for the ski flying World Cup, sitting in third place, trailing leader Domen Prevc by a significant 95 points. With only two individual jumps remaining, Wellinger must hope for a slip from the reigning large hill world champion.
To make a strong showing in the ‘Planica 7’, Wellinger knows he must perform well in the qualification jump scheduled for Thursday at 10 AM, which will be streamed live. He stated, “The goal for Thursday is to find the right feeling from the first jump, play with the air, and aim for a long flight.”
Reflecting on past challenges, Wellinger noted that last year’s slightly altered track brought difficulties, resulting in 20th and 14th place finishes in the individual events. “Adjusting to the new course was tough. The jump changed a bit, affecting my connection with the facility,” he recalled as he looks forward to the upcoming competition.
The final week of winter sports promises to be packed with excitement and emotional moments across multiple disciplines including alpine skiing, ski jumping, and the figure skating World Championships.
In the race for the big crystal globe, two Austrian athletes, Daniel Tschofenig and Jan Hörl, remain in the spotlight, currently separated by 114 points. Tschofenig holds the upper hand, potentially poised to win the overall World Cup shortly before or after celebrating his 23rd birthday, following the Four Hills Tournament.
Wellinger is also in contention to surpass Pius Paschke in the overall standings, which would secure him the title of the best German jumper in the final rankings. Paschke, who led the standings early in the season, currently sits in sixth place, 51 points ahead of Wellinger.
Stay updated with the ski jumping schedule, capturing all key dates from the World Cup opener in Lillehammer to the World Championships in Trondheim, culminating in the season finale in Planica, right on your smartphone.
Catch the men’s qualification in ski flying at Planica through the live stream featuring commentary by Tom Bartels and Sven Hannawald.
Before the final showdown, the Austrian pairing of Kraft and Fettner leads the Super Team competition. Will they clinch victory following their triumph in Lahti? Catch the thrilling conclusion in the upcoming re-live broadcast.
Following the Super Team event, both Philipp Raimund and Andreas Wellinger will sit down for an interview to discuss their experiences and insights.