Break for Daniel Huber, Gregor Schlierenzauer returns

Daniel Huber will not compete in Lahti (FIN) this weekend, Gregor Schlierenzauer, on the other hand, will be on the Austrian World Cup team for the first time since early December.

Daniel Huber, in 15th of the overall World Cup currently the second best Austrian, will take a break from competing in order to rest and prepare himself for the World Championships in Seefeld (AUT). For Gregor Schlierenzauer, who has not participated in a World Cup event since Nizhny Tagil early December, it's now about qualifying for the Championships in the very last minute.

"I have a very intense time behind me. Maybe it was more intense for me than ever. I constantly got good input and I also had some very effective jumps. I don't feel totally comfortable and unfortunately, I also don't have that "100 % feeling" yet. So I'm very excited to see how it will go in my first World Cup in ten weeks and where I stand right now. I'm definitely still motivated and I'm happy that I can compete in the World Cup again", the 29-year-old wrote on his website.

Shortly before his comeback, Gregor Schlierenzauer, who has already won 12 medals at World Championships, also thinks about what happens when things don't go as well as he hopes for: "We tried everything we could towards the World Championships in Seefeld. I'm optimistic and I'm still giving my all. Of course, there are still a few question marks regarding how I will do until then. My path definitely remains the same, independent of the results in the next World Cups. I will continue on this path with all its challenges ahead. If the results are not that good and I can't participate in the WSC, then things will also go on after the WSC. What gives me purpose and what I'm aiming for is to make effective and cool jumps."

Head coach Andreas Felder will nominate the team for the World Championships after the next World Cups in Lahti and Willingen. "We will give different athletes the chance to prove themselves in the final two World Cups before the World Championships at home. But it's becoming more and more clear who will be on the team, even if Stefan Kraft is the only one who already earned his ticket. As reigning World Champion, he has a secured quota spot in the normal and large hill competition", said Felder.