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TOP JUMP: Halvor Egner Granerud maintains a good grip on the skis after qualifying in the storm at Oberstdorf. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
OBERSTDORF (VG) Halvor Egner Granerud (24) may be the first Norwegian to win Hoppuka in 14 years. A group of experts works day and night to make this happen.
It’s almost like in Formula 1. Granerud does it like superstar Lewis Hamilton (seven-time world champion). He just “gets behind the wheel” – and clinks – with one goal in mind; win.
On Monday night, he set the tone before Tuesday’s opening race at Hoppuka with second place in qualifying (Philipp Aschenwald won) in very difficult conditions with wind and snow. It was a parody with almost short jumps. 122 meters landed in Granerud. Sigurd Pettersen’s mountain record, set in 2003, is 143.5 meters by comparison.
– Good start. But I expect better conditions in the race, says Halvor Egner Granerud.
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National team coach Alexander Stöckl confirms that Asker’s great jumping sensation this winter has chosen a new path to adventurous success. Granerud, with five straight World Cup victories (Norwegian record) before Tuesday’s opening race in Oberstdorf, concentrates exclusively on a few simple tasks before jumping.
You can do that because, according to Stöckl, you have a group of highly trained professionals around you. People who happily sacrifice their night’s sleep for Granerud, and Norway, to win the German-Austrian jumping week for the first time since 2007 (Anders Jacobsen).
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– Halvor uses the experience that is available, therefore he can spend more time on sports and good technical jumping. He has received “a package” that is the best for him at all times, says Stöckl.
The “package” could have belonged to the Christmas celebration. But it already opened in November. The content has proven to be incredibly good. Granerud leads the World Cup magnificently. And the man who lived on savings last season, after disappointing results, has now earned close to 600,000 kroner in just over a month.
It is about jumping equipment. How it is optimized. And what is being done to make Granerud fly longer and more beautiful. Stöckl eases the veil a bit in a sport characterized by secrets and team wars.
– Those who help Halvor have a crucial role. In that sense, the jump can be compared to Formula 1. It is the driver and the car. Here’s a pilot and what he flies with, says Stöckl.
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In addition to himself as head coach, there is researcher Magnus Brevig, who collaborates with Olympiatoppen and NTNU. And other companies that help the development of the sport of jumping. Adrian Livelten, tailor and jumpsuit expert. Also, Thomas Lobben, who is the trainer and developer of the monkey form. Coach Andreas Wilberg does the same job. And then there’s retired great jumper Kenneth Gangnes who is responsible for skis, bindings, shoes, and gliding.
Halvor Egner Granerud praises the team around him.
– Those who take care of the jumping equipment mean a lot. The main reason I have given you primary responsibility is that you know much more about this than I do. I have my own opinion, which I can discuss and reflect with them, because it will never be perfect in a sport as dynamic as ski jumping, says Halvor Egner Granerud.
DRESSING ROOM: Suitable for Granerud on his way to fitting Adrian Livelten in overalls before training and qualifying in Oberstdorf. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
His own tasks, the “work tasks,” as they are called in the professional parlance of the best sports, he only smiles when VG asks him about them.
– They work so well that I keep them to myself, he says.
– Keep to yourself, why does it sound banal?
– Hehe, no, but I choose to keep it to myself, answers Halvor Egner Granerud.
