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Austrian ski jumpers did not win any individual competitions in the World Cup season that ended on Sunday. Daniel Huber landed on the last flight at Planica as ÖSV’s best man in fifth place. German world champion Karl Geiger secured victory and the ski flying glass, which he won ahead of Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi and compatriot Markus Eisenbichler. In the previous team competition, Austria was third behind Germany and Japan.
In individual competitions, the World Cup winter for the ÖSV came to an unsuccessful end for the fourth time in 42 years after several early phase crown infections. There were even only a few podium places in 25 competitions, after all, in team competitions you were twice victorious. Consequently, Andreas Widhölzl’s conclusion after his first year as head coach was mixed. “It was a very turbulent year. There were difficult moments, but also good ones like in the World Cup ”, said Widhölzl in an interview with ORF.
Except for the World Cup with Stefan Kraft’s gold, the season didn’t go so well, Widhölzl admitted. However, the poor performance in the overall ranking without the Austrians in the top ten and only fourth in the Nations Cup should not be overestimated due to crown-related absences. In general, it is necessary to improve for the next Olympic winter. “We didn’t have that many podiums, but we are full of energy, we have to step on the gas for next season.”
With Huber in twelfth place in the general classification, they had to pocket the second worst result in history in this regard, in 1983/84 Armin Kogler finished eleventh. “It’s the little things that matter. As for me, the season could continue, but that motivates me even more for next year to step on the accelerator, ”said Huber, recalling the turbulent course of the season with two podium finishes for him. “There were a lot of ups and downs. Of course I wanted the first win, that was the big goal, but a lot came up.”
Huber finished the season in twelfth place overall: Kraft 17.
The defending World Cup champion Stefan Kraft did not get over 17th place at the end. The Salzburg resident, who was repeatedly held back by back problems, only made the podium once all winter. But it provided a great climax with surprising gold on the big hill at the World Championship in Oberstdorf. Additionally, Kraft and Co. also won team silver at the World Cup. “There were very beautiful moments, but also difficult moments,” Kraft said, referring to his back pain. “With the small problems I am very satisfied with the year. But it means working to make it more stable again next year. “
The fourth world flying championship Michael Hayböck landed in the final in tenth place. “That is an indirect conclusion, I would say. We are definitely going to make a very good plan together, I am very motivated, ”said Upper Austria for next season.
After eleven victories, the great crystal ball was won early for the first time by Norwegian Halvor Egner Granerud, who had failed at the World Cup with a crown infection. His compatriot Daniel Andre Tande had a heavy fall at the Planica on Thursday, the 27-year-old had to be put into an artificial coma. The awakening phase started on the weekend. Tande permanent damage should be avoided.
