Riiber had to be content with two second places, worn down by the team unity of the Austrians. The four-time season winner admitted that he had made mistakes, but that is exactly what the ÖSV team is following.
“You have to make it difficult for him,” said Thomas Rettenegger. “We can challenge him well.” Teammate Martin Fritz observed Riiber a little. “He always starts to think. You can see that he is also flexible on the hill. You have to take advantage of that.” Lamparter sees the whole thing from the front: “It’s very pleasant when we are more strong once morest Riiber. You can play around a bit. You know what the tactics of the others (Austrians, note) are.”
Even before the home competitions, jumping coach Christoph Bieler had described the density within his own ranks as the key to success. In the Nations Cup, the ÖSV team is only 78 points behind Norway. “We know that Riiber is very difficult to beat when he’s at his best. We can only try to develop as best we can. Then Riiber will feel pressure. We’re currently doing that perfectly as a team. There’s a great team spirit in the team, we’re happy for each other .” Fritz: “I think we’ve never had such good team spirit before.”
Riiber was previously ill
Riiber stated that he had come to Styria weakened and had previously been ill. In the fall he stayed away from his family for weeks so as not to catch anything. Now over the Christmas period he will take his daughter out of kindergarten as a precaution. “It’s sad for them, but for me it’s important to stay healthy.” He was happy to have only lost 20 World Cup points to Lamparter in Ramsau. And Riiber clearly sees a duel with the defending champions for the big crystal ball this season.
“I have to be at my best level and healthy,” emphasized the 26-year-old. He considers Lamparter to be as strong in the four January competitions in Oberstdorf and Schonach as in Ramsau, as the slopes and cross-country ski trails are comparable to the facilities in the Dachtstein region. “On these small jumps and the tough races, he is the one to beat,” said Riiber. “He has a stable high level.” Only from Seefeld in February does the Norsker expect good support from his compatriots Jörgen Graabak and Jens Luraas Oftebro.
Lamparter is still 90 points behind Riiber in the World Cup anyway, so he is the hunter. And the 22-year-old also knows a few others who can intervene in the ball fight. The ÖSV star still sees a shortcoming in the sprints. “He (Riiber, note) is a bit better than me. But I’m slowly exploiting the potential that I have.” Lamparter didn’t see his two victories as a reason for a deserved break; he wants to continue investing a lot over the holidays. “Strength block, endurance – and hopefully be back strong once more in January.”
Mario Seidl might then join the team once more. The Salzburger celebrated his first victory in the Continental Cup on Saturday in Ruka since his comeback last week, with a lead of 1:42.7 minutes. The ÖSV’s internal competition is likely to become even tougher. Lamparter: “We march as a team, there is simply a band behind it. Luki (Lukas Greiderer), FJ (Franz-Josef Rehrl) and Fritzi (Martin Fritz) feel that and have to keep going.” Greiderer, for example, also plans to do the same: “I’ll add more things so that I have the basis.”
In the women’s category, Lisa Hirner is Austria’s solo fighter at the top, although the 20-year-old did not have optimal preparation for the season because she was completing her training. “I notice from race to race that I’m getting stronger. I’m getting more and more self-confidence,” said the Styrian who lives in Tyrol. She has some catching up to do when it comes to jumping. “Now it’s time to work on going to the hill often and getting relaxed during the break from competition (until January 12th, note).”
ÖSV women’s coach Wilhelm Denifl trusts Hirner to challenge Gyda Westvold Hansen and Ida Marie Hagen, who were victorious in Ramsau, in the medium term. “I believe that Lisa might become the best in the world. There is still much, much more to it. This year is still a year of transition for her. But she always has the quality to be at the forefront.” The 43-year-old also expects a strong boost from the rest of his troops. “We started on a relaxed path. If we continue on this path, we’re looking forward to a relaxed time.”
