Andreas Wellinger has ended Germany's dry spell in the Ski Flying World Cup by claiming victory at the Vikersund competition on March 15, 2025. The 29-year-old Bavarian would fly lengths of 228 and 229.5 meters to secure the win, marking Germany's first World Cup victory after three months, with Pius Paschke having last won back on December 15, 2024 at Titisee-Neustadt.
Wellinger's impressive performance not only restored German pride but also put him at the forefront of the Raw Air competition series, where he now leads. His triumph was delivered before the two Slovenian competitors—Timi Zajc and Anze Lanisek—who finished second and third, respectively.
Wellinger celebrated emphatically, shouting "Yes!" as he crossed the finish line, aware the win was pivotal after experiencing disappointment previously. Just two weeks before this victory, he had secured silver at the World Championships, finishing behind the now-suspended Marius Lindvik, who is embroiled in the recent suit scandal.
Indeed, Lindvik and several other Norwegian ski jumpers, including Johan Forfang, Robin Pedersen, Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal, and Robert Johansson, have been suspended by the International Ski Federation (FIS) for illegal modifications to their suits. Norway's Sports Director Jan Erik Aalbu admitted to the alterations made on purpose, stating these modifications involved illegally sewn fabric reinforcements.
At the Vikersund competition, Wellinger's compatriots also fared well, with Pius Paschke finishing in 9th place, Karl Geiger coming 11th, and former world champion Markus Eisenbichler managing to secure 15th place after posting 219 meters on his second flight.
Wellinger’s previous victory this season was at the Ruka competition held back in November 2024, and he expressed hope for continued success as the season progresses. “We have more competitions coming up, and I’m eager to keep this momentum going,” Wellinger added after the event.
The next Ski Flying event will occur on March 16, 2025, at Vikersund, as part of the Raw Air series. This year's format has been shortened due to the World Championships, and with Wellinger now leading, anticipation is building for another thrilling match.
Meanwhile, Nika Prevc triumphed earlier on March 15, 2025, taking first place in the women’s competition—her birthday and exceptional performance shutting out competitors on the day. Ema Klinec of Slovenia followed her as the runner-up, and Germany's Selina Freitag secured third with exactly 200 meters.
Germany's recent success is seen as pivotal, with many hailings it as the end of the country’s struggle within the World Cup circuit. Wellinger's victory is expected to provide much-needed confidence for his fellow competitors as they look forward to upcoming contests.
Wellinger's ninth individual World Cup victory adds significant weight to his already impressive ski jumping résumé. The stakes are high as the Raw Air series reaches its climax, and the eyes of the skiing world will be upon Vikersund this Sunday. Skiing enthusiasts and analysts alike will be eager to see if Wellinger can defend his position or if another contender will break through.
With skiing legends etched out on the slopes of Vikersund, the celebration of Wellinger's achievements is just one aspect of the depth of talent present at this iconic skiing venue. Those within the ski community long for such thrilling events, where athletes push limits and astonish fans with incredible feats, and Wellinger certainly delivered on this occasion.