Wellinger finishes 56th - "Like a punctured bird" - Olympic ski jump champion Wellinger struggles after rule changes shake his form
Olympic ski jumping champion Andreas Wellinger has faced a challenging start to the season. He failed to qualify for the World Cup opener in Lillehammer, finishing 56th with a jump of just 110 metres. Former champion Sven Hannawald suggests the athlete is struggling with recent rule changes in the sport.
Wellinger’s troubles became clear at the Lillehammer event, where his 110-metre jump marked his worst result in years. He later called his performance 'awful' and admitted to making too many errors during competition. His teammate Pius Paschke also missed qualification, placing 51st in the same event.
Wellinger’s early-season struggles highlight the impact of rule changes on even top athletes. With the Oberstdorf championships approaching, he will aim to regain form in front of a home crowd. The event will test whether he can overcome his current difficulties in time for a major competition.
