A historic victory, but: ÖSV’s eagles will not fly in the summer

Austria Ski jumping stars They made themselves very rare at this year’s event Summer Grand Prize. For most competitions, the Skating Federation only sends talents or athletes from the so-called second grade. ÖSV Head Coach Andreas Wiedholzl He makes no secret of the fact that this summer’s Grand Prix does not fit into his schedule.

“You have to think about whether it really makes sense to jump in the middle of summer. People don’t care anyway,” says the Tyrolean. “We only finished the season in April. As a coach, I need time to develop and train.

In the last two stops of Summer Grand Prize Widhölzl’s athletes then took a look at the unpopular competition, and what the coach saw should make him confident for next World Cup season.

Because Austrians are at the top of their game when compared internationally: veterans Manuel Vitner He won the final in Klingenthal, Germany, and at 38, he is the oldest winner of a summer Grand Prix. His teammate Daniel Tchovenig landed on the podium three times in Hinzenbach and Klingenthal.

In the Mixed team competition On Sunday in Klingenthal, Wittner and Chovenig, along with Sarah-Marita Kramer and Jacqueline Seefriedsberger, finished third behind Germany and Japan.

However, the most important task for the Austrian ski jumping team was accomplished over the weekend at the Confederations Cup final in Lake Placid: a second goalkeeper around Clemens Leitner, Clemens Aigner and Maximilian Steiner helped Austria skate to an important additional starting place at the worlds. cup.

This means head coach Andreas Vidholzl can nominate at least six players for the season opener in Ruka, Finland (November 25).