The DSV eagles are getting into better shape just in time for the Olympics. The gold favorite, however, is a Slovenian.
Ski jumper Philipp Raimund flew onto the podium at the conclusion of the Olympic dress rehearsal in Willingen.
In the second victory of Slovenian superstar Domen Prevc within 24 hours in front of 22,000 spectators in the Hessian Upland, the Oberstdorf native finished third, making it his first podium appearance since mid-December. Five days before the opening of the Winter Games, the DSV eagles showed a remarkable level of performance.
Philipp Raimund impresses at the dress rehearsal in Willingen
However, Prevc remains the top favorite for Olympic gold medals. The Four Hills Tournament winner won on Sunday, as he did in the first jump, with a huge lead, securing victory over Japan’s Ren Nikaido after jumps of 147.0 and 152.0 m with a 31.7 point advantage (equivalent to almost 18 meters).
Raimund, who was an unsatisfied 18th on Saturday, ended up 39.9 points behind the World Cup leader after flights of 142.5 and 139.5 m.
Wellinger gains confidence for the Olympics
Two-time Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger also travels to Val di Fiemme with renewed self-confidence. The 30-year-old flew a fabulous 150.5 m in the second round on Sunday, finishing eighth in the final standings and making it into the top 10, just as he did on Saturday (sixth). Wellinger even finished ahead of Felix Hoffmann, who was sixth in the Four Hills Tournament and finished tenth after 149.5 m in the final.
Karl Geiger, who was not nominated for the Olympics, showed at least a solid competition with a 21st place finish after his magnificent third place on Saturday. Of the four German Olympic participants, Pius Paschke again fell short, finishing 28th after 23rd on Saturday. Luca Roth finished 25th, ahead of the six-time World Cup winner.
The first official training for the German men on the normal hill in Predazzo is scheduled for Thursday evening, with the first decision taking place the following Monday.