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Oberstdorf (dpa) - Even without fireworks and 25,000 fans, Karl Geiger was completely happy.

His ski jumping opening win at the 69th Four Hills Tournament was not only a relief for the German team, but also a relief for Geiger after his ten days of corona quarantine until Christmas.

«I'm really overwhelmed.

It's a bit of a fairy tale, you can't even put it into words », said the happy winner, who left Poland Kamil Stoch and Norway's Marius Lindvik behind after flights at 127 and 136.5 meters.

Before the New Year's competition on Friday (2 p.m. / ARD and Eurosport), the team of national coach Stefan Horngacher has two more hot candidates for the first overall tour victory since Sven Hannawald 2001/02.

In addition to the winner of the day Geiger, who called the success in his hometown “a childhood dream”, Markus Eisenbichler (fifth) is also on course thanks to a 142-meter fabulous flight in the second round.

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“The aim is to start slowly and get stronger and stronger.

We will continue to pursue this », said Horngacher, from whom a great burden dropped after the extremely successful start.

It is “always fantastic” to start the four hills spectacle with a win.

The team result, which was very mixed behind the furious top duo, quickly became a minor matter when the ski flying world champion was able to receive his silver cup in the empty stadium due to the corona.

As with the gold coup in Planica, the young family man Geiger came back from a two-week break, which did not harm him a bit.

“If Karl is in his tunnel, he can call it up.

At the moment he is floating on a very good wave and has a full grip on himself, "said Horngacher.

In Geiger, Stoch, Lindvik, yellow bearer Halvor Egner Granerud and Eisenbichler, a quintet can now be counted among the closest favorites at the traditional event around the turn of the year.

“There are some who really jump at a very high level.

It is always difficult to win.

We have to see that Karl makes his good jumps, ”said Horngacher.

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But nobody takes the Allgäu violinist from his emotional opening triumph in his home country.

"I'm very proud.

It was a special day for me, ”said the 27-year-old.

With the flight world title from Planica, the birth of his daughter Luisa, a corona infection and now the following coup in Oberstdorf, Geiger has an eventful end of the year.

On January 1, 2021, things can continue to be turbulent for him.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201229-99-846371 / 2

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