World's largest ski jump inaugurated in Vikersund

on 2011-02-09

Today at lunchtime the first jumper went over the new Vikersundbakken. With a Hill Size of 225 meters the Norwegian ski flying hill now is nominally the largest of its kind and so a new world record is expected during the World Cup Ski Flying on the weekend.

In only three quarters of a year construction time they made it to reconstruct and enlarge the former HS 207 (K185) ski fyling hill in Vikersund. First the old inrun tower was demolished, then the whole jump was rotated a bit and the take-off was moved up-slope. With new natural inrun and a hill profile of HS 225 (K195) after the FIS inspection last week there is now nominally the world's largest ski jump in Vikersund.

Today at 12:30 pm the short opening ceremony started and the Norwegian minister of culture Anniken Huitfeld officially opened the enlarged ski jump. Then Vegard Swendsen of Asker Skiklubb started as the very first jumper on the new hill and landed at 162 meters. In three practising rounds the few hundred spectators could watch a few flights on more than 200 meters, where the best distances were performed by Andreas Vilberg with 218 meters and Jon Aaraas with 219 meters.

Tomorrow there is another test round by the jumpers of Norwegian second row scheduled, while on Friday the elite ski flyers will start participating in official training and qualification. At least during the two individual competitions on Saturday and Sunday many are expecting a battle for a new ski fyling world record, which is still held by Bjørn Einar Romøren with 239 meters at Planica 2005.