Hansjörg Jäkle

Hansjörg Jäkle started his career in Nordic Combined but moved to ski jumping when he was eliminated from the national team after German reunification, because several of the East German athletes were better. In 1994 he won a team gold medal in ski jumping at Lillehammer, adding a silver medal four years later. At the World Championships Jäkle won a silver in 1995 and a bronze in 1997 in the team event.

His best year was 1998 with the silver at the Olympics, the German Championship in the normal hill and a second place in the team competition and at the Four Hills Tournament. Besides ski jumping he was also active in motocross in the 250 cc class for a few years. In October 2004 Jäkle had a severe accident with his motocross machine, breaking both legs, followed by a long period of rehabilitation. He later made his living as a teacher and youth coach.