German hill jumpers have not celebrated the victory of the Central European Hill Week for 22 years. Janne Ahonen believes that the Germans, who had a good start to the season, are now in the fight for victory.
The main event of the hill jumping season, the Central European hill week, starts on Thursday in Oberstdorf, Germany, with a qualifying competition. The tour of four races continues to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, from there to Innsbruck on the Austrian side and ends as an epiphany in Bischoshofen.
The only five-time winner in the history of Mäkiwiikko and Urheilu’s expert Janne Ahonen considers the jumpers of the host countries of the tour, Germany and Austria, to be the biggest early favorites.
Austria dominated the World Cup in the early season Stefan Kraft is the number one favorite in Ahonen’s papers. Kraft won the hill week nine years ago, and since then the Austrians have not been able to celebrate the victory of the prestigious tour.
The Germans have done well in the early season competitions on a wide front. Andreas Wellinger, Pius Pasche and Carl Geiger are right behind Kraft in the overall points of the World Cup. In Germany, expectations for hill week are high. Fans have been asked to be patient, as it has been 22 years since the last German victory. At that time, at the turn of 2001–2002, Sven Hannawald won all four competitions as the first jumper.
– It’s pretty incredible that a German hasn’t won a hill race in over 20 years. Would you like to jump now? With the strength of more jumpers, they are in the top fight, says Ahonen.
Ahonen remembers his active days, when in many years the Germans went to the hill week as early favorites. However, the victory slipped away time after time.
– It’s a weird thing. Maybe they haven’t been able to handle the pressure from the home crowd. For example Martin Schmitt led the world cup and in some seasons was an overwhelming favorite to win. It was crazy around the locals. That’s when they collapse on the road of life as the mountain week progresses.
The result level of Finns is decreasing
Janne Ahonen believes that the Christmas break has become necessary for Finnish jumpers, whose result curve has decreased since the opening of the World Cup in Ruka a month ago. Even in Rukal, Ahonen saw positive signs in the air, but in the Engelberg World Cup, jumping under Christmas had turned into a tired twist.
– I hope that the guys have been able to train in peace for a good week and play the flute a bit. It’s tough when the jump doesn’t go as expected and at the same time you’re traveling in the World Cup. Few in that situation are able to improve their jumping, but rather get tired and in pain, Ahonen states.
– The total Huili on Christmas Eve and possibly Christmas Day has done good, Ahonen adds.
Jumpers in the Finnish team Antti Aalto, Niko Kytösaho, Eetu Nousiainen and Kasperi Valto. The team’s most experienced jumper, 28-year-old Aalto, is participating in the hill week for the eighth time in a row.
Aalto was 40th and 29th in his last games before the Christmas break.
– I believe that Antti is our strongest link. When the hills change at a close pace, Antti’s experience and routine are not so startled, says Ahonen.
Will Rautionaho stretch to the podium?
The best ski jumper in Finland at the moment is Jenny Rautionaho, who was able to spend the Christmas break with confidence. On December 16, Rautionaho reached the best finish of his career, fifth in the Engelberg World Cup.
Based on Rautionaho’s summer games and training, Ahonen had expected that her basic level would have clearly risen.
– Jenny has been able to stabilize her level near the top. He can jump into the top ten, even if he doesn’t succeed. Now the weaker jumps are enough to match the best jumps last year, says Ahonen.
The Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup continues in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on Friday, when the unofficial Women’s Central European Hill Week begins. At the turn of the year, we compete in Oberstdorf and a couple of days later in Villach, Austria.
The latest Finnish podium spaces are From Julia Kykkä, which was third twice in February and March 2014. Kykkänen is also participating in this year’s games.
– When Jenny gets two successful jumps in the same competition, she is no longer far from the podium, says Ahonen.
‘s live sports broadcasts can be found at this link.