The ski flying World Championships on the world's largest hill in Vikersund (NOR) are only a few days away. The best ski flyers will fight for 15 medals, 12 in the team event and 3 in the individual competition, and for the world record. Enough reason for FISskijumping.com to take a closer look on how the final preparations are going and what the fans can look forward to.
A reason why the events might get very exciting is the fact that Evensen's world record of 246.5 m set last year, might be broken. "I'm sure that a new record will be set", the Norwegian said to FISskijumping.com a few hours before his retirement.
High demand for tickets
But not only the athletes, also the spectators are looking forward to this event and get their tickets as soon as never before. More than 20000 tickets have been sold so far, reports Halvor Hartz, vice-president of the organizing committee. One of the crowd magnets, besides the regular VIP tent, that is already sold out for Saturday's competition, is the big tent "Folkelivet, where there's space for 2600 fans to warm up. There is also the "Vingen" building on top of the facility. Spectators with a VIP ticket will also get a guided tour with the new lift that cost 14 million Norwegian crowns and can enjoy the food in the VIP area of the restaurant. The lift, that also the jumpers will take to get up on the hill, has a capacity of 406 persons per hour and it needs six minutes for the distance of 523 m.
There is also a fleed of 35 cars to provide fast shuttle-service for athletes and official guests between the hill, the airport and the hotels in the area. Nothing is left to chance in Vikersund also concerning the transport of spectators and so the system with 20 busses was already tested.
Alexander Stoeckl, Johan Remen Evensen and the official song
But the organizers also took measures of a different kind to get the fans in the right mood for the World Championships. The lyrics of the official song for the ski flying World Championships "Flying into the future" of Joern Atle Stoa were written by Norwegian head coach Alexander Stoeckl, who already has experience in the music business. For world record holder Johan Remen Evensen it was soon clear that he also wants to be part of this project. "My coach Alex wrote the lyrics and asked if I could sind parts of the song. I also love music and so it was no problem for me. I'm very happy that I can be a small part of this song and of course I hope that it will make the atmosphere in the stadium even better."
What would really boost the atmosphere in Vikersund would be a Norwegian victory at this prestigous event - and with the current level of performances of the Norwegian team the chances are not bad. So far only a few jumpers from Norway could win Gold at ski flying World Championships. Only Ole Gunnar Fidjestoel in Oberstdorf 1988 and Roar Ljoekelsoey 2004 in Planica and 2006 in Bad Mitterndorf could win this title.
Norwegians definitely among the favorites
But this year, the local heroes are definitely among the favorites with the team and also with Anders Bardal and the young team.
The vice-president of the organizing committee, Halvor Hartz, is enthusiastic. "This is by far the biggest event in winter sports this year and it'll be fantastic." It seems Vikersund is ready and can totally look forward to this great event.
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