Timi Zajc is disqualified at the start of the Four Hills Tournament, from which a German jumper benefits. National coach Stefan Horngacher welcomes the decision and is in a jocular mood.
The disqualification of the Slovenian Timi Zajc at the start of the Four Hills Tournament has met with approval among the ski jumpers. “You see, no one is spared. If something isn’t right, then it isn’t right,” said national coach Stefan Horngacher. Philipp Raimund, fifth in Oberstdorf, said: “I think it’s good that they are strict.”
Mathias Hafele, chief controller of the world federation, had disqualified Zajc, who was initially in second place, after the competition because his suit was three millimeters too large on the leg. As a result, Felix Hoffmann, among others, landed in third instead of fourth place.
Stefan Horngacher joked after Timi Zajc’s disqualification
Horngacher welcomed the tough decision. “Then there are the consequences. That’s why it’s important that we always have our things in good order.”
Ski Jumping: Horngacher Jokes After Disqualification
The national coach had learned of the disqualification earlier, in the middle of an interview. The Austrian initially seemed a bit irritated by this news before happily exclaiming in the outrun of the jump: “That’s the wrong one.”
Horngacher’s joking statement is aimed at Zajc’s teammate Domen Prevc, who won the opening jump by a wide margin. For while Zajc’s disqualification resulted in a podium finish for Hoffmann, the German jumpers are once again in danger of despairing over a dominator.
Meanwhile, the Slovenians also grudgingly accepted the decision. “It was measured several times, now we have no chance. We unfortunately have to accept it, we can’t change anything about it. I feel sorry for Timi. He had finally found his form,” said head coach Robert Hrgota.
Prevc: “We are all operating at the limit”
Day’s winner Domen Prevc saw it similarly: “We are all operating at the limit, things can go wrong quickly there. I hope Timi doesn’t let that discourage him.”
Sven Hannawald’s initial judgment was harsher. “I don’t want winners who cheat,” the ARD expert said about Zajc: “Accordingly: Goodbye!”
The strict controls, like the tightened suit rules, are a reaction to the manipulation scandal at the World Championships in March. At that time, however, the case was different; members of the Norwegian team had sewn prohibited material into several suits during the night.
“Normal” disqualifications like Zajc’s on Monday are more common – for men, it was already the 19th this winter. However, it was the first time a top jumper was affected.