The world record for eternity?

Who can still remember Stefan Kraft’s ski flying world record from 2017 in Vikersund? Back then Stefan flew to an incredible 253.5 meters, never has a ski jumper flown farther than the likeable Salzburger. Since mid-week my team and I are back on-site to ready the Monsterbakken in Vikersund for Raw Air jump-ability. The images of “Krafti,” as his teammates call him, flood my mind whenever we fine-tune the track to create such perfect conditions that make the impossible possible. Even in these days.

It makes me wonder whether we will ever see another flight again. In my view, the signs are unfortunately not good, to say the least, and it has almost become impossible to crack this record in the quiet town in southern Norway.

Because what many people and even ski jumping enthusiasts do not know: the hill parameters have been substantively changed since then. The take-off angle at the hill table has been reduced by 0.5 degrees, and correspondingly the flight path behaves. This makes ski flying in Vikersund safer, but the jump loses some height. However, one of the most important aspects is lost: the chase for maximum distances.

Pushing the boundaries of what is humanly possible is an important part of our sport to keep the excitement alive.

This is apparently what the FIS wants to prevent; safety must come first. Flight curves become flatter, jumps thus do not go as far.

Even if the material is constantly optimized, weather, wind, and air conditions are perfect and approach and hill are prepared as best as possible, we will not see a new world record in Vikersund. At least that is my opinion.

What is your stance on this topic? In which direction do you think the sport should develop?

As for us, we keep pushing forward with determination to create the best conditions for maximum speeds. Maybe we will be wrong someday about the 'world record for eternity'... I would definitely wish for it, for the sake of the sport.

Your Peter Riedel