Diethart wins in Garmisch

There has been more disappointment for the German ski jumpers at the second event of the annual Four Hills Tour. A young Austrian stole the show by sealing the first World Cup win of his career.

Austria's Thomas Diethart, 21, posted the longest jump in both rounds at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in southern Germany on Wednesday, easily beating out his fellow countryman, Thomas Morgenstern.

"The feeling is great. I am not doing anything special, just doing what I love to do. I just want to continue jumping in the same way," Diethart told Germany's ARD public television shortly after the event had ended.

Diethart soared to jumps of 141.0 and 140.5 meters for a combined total of 296.1 points. Morgenstern posted two jumps of 139.0 meters for a total of 285.1 points.

Simon Ammann of Switzerland, who won the first Four Hills event at Oberstdorf, came in third with 278.5 points.

The third-place showing leaves Ammann still in with a chance to become the first Swiss to win the Four Hills Tour overall.

Disappoinment continues for German jumpers

For the Germans, it was another disappointing outing following Oberstdorf, with the jumper seen as their best hope for a spot on the winners' podium, Severin Freund, placing all the way back in 32nd spot after the first jump, meaning he missed the cut for the second round.

The best German on the day was Andreas Wellinger, who came in fifth.

It was also something of a farewell for Martin Schmitt, who was likely making his last appearance before his home fans at the annual New Year's Day event. The 35-year-old came in 27th place to earn his first points of the World Cup season.

"To be here for the last time is quite moving," said Schmitt, who has competed in every Four Hills Tour since 1996, winning a number of single events, including the 1998-99 event at Garmisch, and surprised everyone last year by finishing 10th.

Shortly after the event, German coach Werner Schuster announced that despite Wednesday's performance, he had decided to cut Schmitt from the team for the final two events of the Four Hills, in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen later in the week.

Former German jumper Sven Hannawald may have felt some satisfaction at learning of Wednesday's results. With two different jumpers having won at Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, for at least another year Hannawald will remain the only jumper to have won all four Tour events in a single season.

pfd/tj (SID, dpa)