German double victory in Hinzenbach

Andreas Wellinger and Stephan Leyhe caused a big surprise at the first of two FIS Grand Prix competitions in Hinzenbach (AUT). Andreas Wellinger secured the day's victory on Saturday ahead of his teammate Leyhe, Daniel Tschofenig from Austria finished third.

It has been 10 years since Andreas Wellinger could celebrate successes in the FIS Grand Prix. In 2013, the Bavarian won 3 times a daily ranking and then also secured the Grand Prix overall ranking this summer. 
Then came the Olympic victory in Pyoengchang and then a long dry spell with many injuries. Last winter the return to the top with successes in the World Cup and the World Championships.
Wellinger was able to confirm the strong form of the past winter directly at his first appearance in the summer of 2023: "Three times I was fourth here in Hinzenbach, when I arrived I still thought that now it would be time for a place on the podium. But I would not have thought that I would win directly here, but I am even more pleased", the 28-year-old explained after his success.

Team mate Stephan Leyhe actually jumps in COC this summer and surprised not only himself but also the experts with the second place: "We have a break this weekend in COC but I said that I want to jump competitions because my shape is really good. I would never have expected second place, that's great. But in Klingenthal I will not be at the start, I will jump in the COC again, I am currently in a quota place in the COC which we can use very well and a trip to the USA (Lake Placid) is always a very nice trip" explained Leyhe.
Daniel Tschofenig, as the best Austrian in third place, caused excitement among the spectators. Behind Tschofenig two more Austrians, Jan Hoerl and Stefan Kraft, finished in the top 5, top result for the team of head coach Andreas Widhoelzl.
Anze Lanisek (SLO), Dawid Kubacki (POL) and Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) finished 6th - 8th. Deschwanden showed a strong performance, but still missed the chance to catch up more points in the Grand Prix overall ranking to the leading Bulgarian Vladimir Zografski.

Vladimir Zografski was the last starter of the qualification and fell after a good jump. The Bulgarian remained unhurt, but did not manage to qualify for the competition. So the track was free for Gregor Deschwanden who was second in the overall ranking. With a victory in today's competition the Swiss would have taken the lead. But after 8th place Zografski still leads, now with 54 points ahead of Deschwanden.
Two individual jumping events are still on the calendar for the men in the 2023 Grand Prix: the second competition in Hinzenbach on Sunday (start is at 14:45) and then the final in Klingenthal next weekend (Saturday).
So it remains exciting in the fight for the overall victory in the 2023 Ski Jumping Grand Prix.