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From the beginning, it was really a mistake. Jan Boklöv couldn’t hold the skis together and the legs were V-shaped.
But all of a sudden, Boklöv had jumped more than 20 meters more than he used to.
It was the year 1985 and a completely new style of ski jumping had been created that would change the sport completely.
But it also receives a lot of criticism at the beginning.
– He was far from everyone who liked how he jumped, there were those who thought it was ugly and unethical. That I destroyed the sport, says Jan Boklöv, who according to various judges often scored significantly lower than his competitors.
However, the new V style meant long jumps. The longest Boklöv jumped 177 meters during his career.
But despite developing a completely new style of ski jumping himself, Boklöv, now 54, is discreet.
– I can’t say I’m proud like that. For me, that’s how I jumped. And it seems like a long time ago, I don’t think about ski jumping so much anymore.
“I did not earn money”
In December 1988, Jan Boklöv became the first Swede to win a World Cup. And the same season he also won the overall world cup and came fifth in the German-Austrian ski jumper week.
At the same time, more and more ski jumpers began to use the successful V-style and the competition intensified.
After breaking his foot in 1991 and never really managed to recover, Jan Boklöv decided to retire in 1993.
After that, Sweden’s most successful ski jumper through the centuries has lived a secluded life.
– I never made any money ski jumping. It had practically no sponsors. So of course it was difficult, but it wasn’t because of the money I was making. It was because I loved ski jumping, says Jan Boklöv, who during his career worked in a preschool.
“I didn’t get a job”
Together with Mrs. Jorun, Jan Boklöv has children Joel and Jonas. And they have lived abroad for many years, due to Jorun’s work in the EU.
The family has lived in both Luxembourg and Brussels since Jan Boklöv finished his career.
– During the years abroad I did not work at all, it was difficult with the language and I did not get a job. Instead, I was a home parent.
For a couple of years, the Boklöv family has returned to Sweden and Stockholm.
– I enjoy life. I have a few small jobs from time to time, says Jan Boklöv, who at this point should have been on the set of “Masters of the Masters” in Skåne, but was forced to quit at the last minute.
– It’s sad, of course, but after talking to a doctor it turned out like this. I don’t want to take any risks with my health.
“Then comes the attack”
Jan Boklöv suffers from epilepsy.
– I already had it during my career, and then it could be difficult. Attacks are easier when you make an effort. They are provoked by it.
– But since I stopped jumping backwards, it has improved, I no longer have seizures as often. And the competitions in “Masters of the Masters” are tough, you know. It was probably a good decision.
Jan Boklöv currently does not follow ski jumping as much, or any other sport.
– Virtually all sports on television cost money today and I am not interested in paying for them. There are more fun things to do in life.
