Raimund jumps on the podium again - break for Wellinger

Qualification winner Philipp Raimund celebrated his fourth podium finish of the Olympic winter at the World Cup competition in Klingenthal. After jumps of 134 and 131 meters, the 25-year-old was only beaten by Domen Prevc from Slovenia and Austria's Stefan Kraft. Raimund had previously finished second and third in Wisla (Poland) and third in Falun (Sweden).

Meanwhile, Andreas Wellinger had to cope with another disappointment and announced a break from competition a good two weeks before the Four Hills Tournament. In Klingenthal, the 30-year-old did not make it into the second round in 40th place and plans to skip the Tour dress rehearsal next weekend in Engelberg, Switzerland. "I definitely won't be going next week," said the Olympic ski jumping champion on ARD.

Wellinger describes jumping feeling

"We will definitely put in a training session at home or on a few other hills and try to get him back up to speed," said national coach Stefan Horngacher. Ski jumping has a lot to do with feeling, and he doesn't have that feeling at the moment. "It will take some time, it doesn't happen that quickly and you need patience," said the national coach.

Except for a seventh place in Ruka, Finland, Wellinger has been lagging behind the competition so far this season. "My jumping performance is simply poor at the moment. I can't get the consistency I need. My movements are so choppy. If you imagine it, you don't drive the car around the bend with one turn, but with four or five corners. That's exactly how jumping feels at the moment," he said, describing his problems.

Geiger no longer in the line-up

Aside from Raimund, things are also bumpy for the jumpers two weeks before the Four Hills Tournament. Felix Hoffmann (29th this time) is still one of the world's best. This is not the case for Olympic champion Wellinger and Pius Paschke at the moment. Neither had anything to do with the outcome of the home event in Klingenthal.

Former World Champion Karl Geiger is currently no longer part of the World Cup team, having been left without a chance in Wisla, Poland, and replaced by Luca Roth. On Sunday (4 p.m.), another individual event is scheduled in Klingenthal. Then all that remains is the weekend in Engelberg, Switzerland, to get in shape for the tour.