Upside-down world: violinist comes first, friend last

The long-time midfield eagle karl geiger celebrates his first world cup victory on the gross-titlis hill in engelberg "overjoyed", the former double world champion severin freund has to put up with unpleasant questions about his form after a completely unsuccessful jump and a 50th place finish. "Karl has been rewarded. We had quite a few losses today," said national coach werner schuster after the penultimate individual competition before the four hills tour.

But geiger is developing more and more into a top athlete who is also challenging the international high-flyers around ryoyu kobayashi from japan and tour title defender kamil stoch from poland. "I simply enjoy this victory. But tomorrow it goes on again. If everything fits, who knows what will come out of it," geiger predicted. With his improved flights, the 25-year-old oberstdorfer's self-confidence has also become coarser.

For the losses or the missed chances, meanwhile, in this winter of ski jumping, it is no longer the violinists or stephan leyhe, who has been pale for many years, but the otherwise so strong and constant routiniers who are responsible. Freund is not yet back in form at his comeback after two cruciate ligament ruptures and is chasing the top rankings. "Blod. I just haven't found the feeling for the jump yet. Although it's not my favorite hill, I think I can jump better here," says the 30-year-old returnee.

Richard freitag just can't get going after his fabulous season with second place in the overall standings and a world championship medal in ski flying. After strong tryouts, he once again missed the second round in switzerland. This was also the case for markus eisenbichler, who was 48 years old. Missed his own goals. "I had to laugh at what a kas? Make!", commented the bavarian in his own dialect.