Largest ski jump ever underway

By Published On: May 25th, 2010Comments Off on Largest ski jump ever underway

Move over fabled Planica, a brand, spanking new hill is being built in Vikersund, Norway and it’s slated to take the title as the largest jump on the planet if all goes according to plan. With the old hill being torn down, work is underway on what is likely to be the world’s biggest. Officials expect the project will cost about 80 million Norwegian kroner.

The Vikersund-Bakken, a now outdated wooden ski flying hill saw plenty of history, including a world record set by Norway’s legendary flyer, Bjoern Wirkola of 146 meters, the hilll made it’s debut in 1965. The current hill is labeled as a HS 207 meters, but will be bigger after construction. Organizers at Vikersund are seeking FIS approval at the about-to-start Congress in Antalya, Turkey.

In other jumping news, Austrian assistant ski jumping coaches are being snapped up around the world for their knowledge. Among the latest to pack their bags and move are coaches Marc Noelke and Harry Pernitsch who have inked deals with the Germany National Team program. Ditto that for another Austrian, Nik Huber, who will join the ranks of the Norwegian national team staff. Huber, will serve as the ski jumping coach of Norway’s nordic combined formation, to help them prepare for this year’s world championships to be held in Oslo. Many insiders credit Huber with helping Wolfgang Loitzl, achieve increasingly great things, including a Four Hills tournee win in 2009.

The FIS Ski jumping web site quotes Loitzl as saying…”Huber, was the most important person for my success.”

By Peter Graves

Share This Article

About the Author: Eric Williams