Pius Paschke targets Four Hills glory after late career breakthrough

Pius Paschke is very much a late developer in the world of ski jumping.

At the start of last season, the German was still seeking his first World Cup podium finish in a decade of competition. His highest series placing up to that point was 15th in 2020-21.

He was second in the 2023-24 season-opener in Ruka, Finland and then claimed his maiden win in Engelberg, Switzerland last December.

Paschke backed that up with a third place 24 hours later, but failed to make the podium again in the campaign as he finished 10th in the World Cup.

This season, in a sport dominated by younger athletes, the 34-year-old sits atop the standings after claiming five wins in 10 events.

Now he goes into his 10th Four Hills Tournament almost certain to improve on his previous best of 20th place. And the veteran will not lack for home support with the first two rounds taking place in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

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Pius Paschke and the season of a lifetime

Born in Munich but residing in Kiefersfelden, Paschke made a spectacular start to the 2024-25 season. He finished first and second on the opening weekend in Lillehammer before triumphing again in round three in Ruka.

And after another win in Wisla, Poland, the veteran doubled up on home snow in Titisee-Neustadt to make it five victories from the opening eight events.

While his lead in the World Cup standings was cut by Austrian pair Daniel Tschofenig and Jan Hoerl in difficult conditions last weekend in Engelberg, he remains on top and one of the favourites for Four Hills glory.

Paschke is aiming to become the first German since Sven Hannawald in 2002 to take the Four Hills title, and the second-oldest winner behind Sepp Bradl in the inaugural 1953 tournament.

He does, however, have a significant 'curse' to overcome - of the six Germans to lead the World Cup going into the tournament, none has managed to claim the famous Four Hills Golden Eagle trophy.

Fatherhood and coaching key to Paschke's late-career surge

Paschke's previous career gave little indication of what was to come this season, although he did help Germany to team gold at the 2021 World Championships and has two team medals from Ski Flying World Championships.

So what has seen him achieve wins and consistency over the past 13 months?

Parenthood has helped with the Bavarian telling Eurosport, "Becoming a father changes your priorities in life a little. That did me good."

With two young children - two and a half years and a six-month-old baby - Paschke was looking forward to his, albeit brief, holiday season before the Four Hills. "I always enjoy spending time with the family at Christmas," he said. "At home, the family comes first. And then I don't have to think about ski jumping."

After years of being in Germany's B squad, and only making sporadic World Cup appearances, he earned his first full call-up under national coach Stefan Horngacher in the 2019-20 season.

In comments to Abendzeitung as reported by Sport1, Paschke said, "I came from the B squad in the first year under Stef and worked with the B squad coaches and later again. But when I think specifically about the second and third year, things had already developed well towards the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf and so on. The success speaks for itself."

Paschke also gives special credit to mental coach Thomas Ritthaler who has worked with him for 10 years.

"Working with my sports psychologist has helped me enormously," he reveals. "I believe that I am more confident in what I do and can also adapt better to the situation. A few years ago, I would have found it even more difficult."

While the Four Hills dominates his immediate thoughts, Paschke - barring a severe dip in form - looks on course for a second Olympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026 having been 28th in the large hill event at Beijing 2022.