German Ski Jumpers Secure Victory in World Cup Season Opener

The German mixed team triumphed in Lillehammer, while a new rule on landing technique divides opinions among athletes.

Germany's mixed ski jumping team, featuring Selina Freitag, Andreas Wellinger, Katharina Schmid, and Pius Paschke, won the World Cup opener in Lillehammer with 1097.4 points, ahead of Norway and Austria.
Strong performances by Schmid and Freitag helped secure an early lead for Germany, while Paschke delivered a decisive final jump to clinch the win.
The Ski Federation's new rule emphasizing cleaner Telemark landings has sparked criticism from athletes, with some calling it unfair and overly subjective.
Andreas Wellinger, known for his stylistic precision, sees potential benefits in the rule change, while teammates Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger have voiced strong objections.
The women's team, led by Katharina Schmid and Selina Freitag, begins the season with a new coach, Heinz Kuttin, aiming for podium finishes and a return to top form.