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Oberstdorf (dpa) - Former world-class ski jumper Martin Schmitt sees the German athletes under particular pressure because of the long dry spell of the tour.
«You run after it all a little.
That makes it difficult.
The prerequisites are certainly very, very good.
But they have already been in the past, »said Schmitt in a press round before the 69th Four Hills Tournament, which begins on Monday (4.30 p.m.) with qualification in Oberstdorf.
Since Sven Hannawald won all four competitions at the traditional event in 2001/2002, there has been no German overall winner on the tour.
This time, Markus Eisenbichler is one of the closest favorites.
The 29-year-old Bavarian has already won two World Cups this winter and will come to Oberstdorf in second place overall.
Schmitt names Norway's series winner Halvor Egner Granerud, who recently won five competitions in a row, as the top favorite for the tour.
“But it's not like he's jumping in a league of his own,” said the 42-year-old, who works as an expert on the tour for Eurosport.
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