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– It’s delicious!
Champagne splashes over the jubilant participants as Aksel Lund Svindal lifts the trophy into the air at Storesand in Arendal.
The 2021 champion of champions has been chosen.
But the battle for the title turned extreme.
All the previous entrants were ready to cheer on a winner on Friday night. And the mood was good when the cheers finally broke loose.
Photo: Kristin Olsen / NRK
Final beinhard
For ten weeks, athletes have struggled with new, familiar and demanding exercises.
In the end, a mountaineer and a handball player remained. And they had the biggest challenge ahead of them.
– This is by far the toughest final we’ve had in twelve years, says host Dag Erik Pedersen.
The crucial obstacle course was a grueling marathon.
– We cheer each other on at the end. It was just as good to pass the course as it was to win, Svindal tells NRK.
Co-finalist Tvedten can sign it.
– I have a small blackout
– It was more than difficult. There are periods in this competition that I don’t remember now, the handball player tells NRK immediately after the final.
At one point, he expected Svindal to hit his mark, just to avoid having to do several laps on the sand mound.
But the duel remained firm until the end.
A happy but tired winner poses for the cameras as Håvard Tvedten gains strength. Both were relieved when the toughest competition of the season ended.
Photo: Kristin Olsen / NRK
Tvedten says he is proud to have given the Olympic champion a real fight.
– I felt like a winner before starting today so losing to Aksel is not really a loss, he says adding:
– The shaft is fantastic. He’s strong and he’s been good and stable throughout the series.
Aksel Lund Svindal and Håvard Tvedten applauded after completing a very demanding final in Arendal.
Photo: Kristin Olsen / NRK
Accuracy failed
For a long time it seemed that climber Magnus Midtbø would make it to the super final.
But the lack of precision spoiled him in a very strong search start for the Bergen man.
– I had the lead all the way. I did my best, but the launch was ridiculously bad, says Midtbø.
Magnus Midtbø got strong early in the hunt and gained a huge lead. He also broke his own record in The Iron Grip exercise.
Photo: Sunniva Luca Veliz Pedersen / RUBICON TV / NRK
He admits that the loss was very bitter so close to the super final.
But there is no doubt that they were worthy finalists.
– They’re both idiots. I couldn’t pick a favorite because they are so soft.
Midtbø is the first to bring climbing to the Champion of Champions.
He says it has been an honor to represent the sport.
– I hope and believe I have represented it well. I also think it is very positive for recruitment in Norway. And that is important.
Magnus Midtbø had to take the spectator’s bench in the super final. He predicted a smooth duel and was right.
Photo: Kristin Olsen / NRK
Gang welded
All the athletes this year have described the unit of the group as the best with the Champion of Champions.
On Friday, they came together again to cheer on the finalists to victory and to celebrate ten weeks of hard work together.
– You get really close. I hope we stay in touch, says Magnus Midtbø.
All participants have generally agreed that the unity of the gang has been the greatest joy with the Champion of Champions.
Photo: Sunniva Luca Veliz Pedersen / Rubicon TV / NRK
