Gjerpenkollen in Drammen (NOR) gets new Riedel approach track

After the successful implementation of Bischofshofen, the Peter Riedel Sports Technology GmbH next project on the program. At the K 74 hill at Gjerpenkollen in Drammen (NOR), the new  'Clubtrack' track by Peter Riedel is currently being installed. After 3 days of construction time, during which the radius was smoothed and the track laid, the hill is to be jump-ready for the first time this Thursday.

The Gjerpenkollen in Drammen has a great significance for the ski jumping sport in Norway and is a popular training venue for young and old. With a calculation point of 74 meters, Drammen is especially popular among jumpers for whom K60 is too small, but K90 hills are too large. As one of the most frequented hills in Norway, roughly the Norwegian national ski jumping team kicks off the summer preparation with a mini-summer Grand Prix at Midstuen in Lillehammer and here at Gjerpenkollen in Drammen.

Company CEO Peter Riedel was on-site for most of the construction period and is very satisfied with the result: “I am very glad that we secured Drammen and could install the new Clubtrack lane here. A particular challenge was smoothing and patching the radius, which we accomplished superbly. It is very important to us to support the clubs in their youth development and to offer them an affordable, yet no less qualitative solution. The Nachwuchs should be able to train on the same good tracks as world-class athletes, and we have achieved that here in Drammen.”

The special feature of the new “Clubtrack”-track is that it consists of the same special plastic as the tracks installed in the World Cup. This makes the track extremely durable, long-lasting, and minimizes maintenance and upkeep. Drammen is the first club track in Norway made from this novel special plastic. The winter track runs parallel to the summer track, with the snow manually fed into the track. Due to a modular system, it is also possible to assemble the track yourself, saving costs.

Leading the implementation of this project is Anders Bechmann. Bechmann is a member of the local committee responsible for the hill facility in Drammen. The still-enthusiastic Masters ski jumper finally got green light for the new approach track after four years of persuasion among decision-makers: “I’m very happy that after some work we now finally have the new approach track. The track is a major upgrade to the previous facility. We still have a few small tasks to complete; Thursday the hill should be jump-ready. The character of the hill will hardly change, the flight path and take-off height remain virtually the same. Only the take-off speed will be higher, which can be offset with a shortened approach. I already receive many calls asking when the hill will be jump-ready. The anticipation for the new track is very high across the country. If possible, I would like to take the opening jump myself.”