– I’m tired after such a weekend. But I don’t see it as such a chore or anything like that. It is a joy to have long days and do this job, because it is so absolutely worth it. Adrian Livelten says so. He is the man who sews the suits for the Norwegian show jumping team. But he is also everything possible. You see him on the ski jump looking at all possible equipment, you see him talking and correcting the athletes, and when you don’t see him, he is probably working on suits in the hotel room. – That’s pretty much how the holidays go. One is here to do a job, he says. Throughout the World Cup weekend in Finnish Ruka, news has tried to meet him, but work is most important, and Livelten only got time on Sunday evening. – There is a reason why I sit up late at night and use all the hours of the day. Because I want it to be good, and it’s a pleasure to work with it here. TIMETABLE: Adrian Livelten spends large parts of his working day like this. Photo: Brede Bleiklie Thomassen / news – Meaning everything According to news’s jumping expert Johan Remen Evensen, the jumping suit is “the difference between the ball and the bottom of the hill”. To win a showjumping race, the dressage must be perfect. In other words, Livelten’s job is extremely important. He paints, sews and adapts suits almost all the time. Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal is Norway’s best jumper so far this season, and he is clear about what Livelten’s effort means. – It means everything. Simply everything. He is at work 24/7. So without him we wouldn’t have had a chance. Sundal shakes his head and continues: – It’s completely sick. That the man there walks on two legs is impressive. I would not have been able to live like that, says Sundal. – Was very tired Livelten is used to heavy workloads, and explains that he is passionate about this. Therefore, sleep comes second. – After all, there have been several championships where you haven’t slept at all. Just walked from the sewing machine in the morning and up the hill. But it has been necessary for one to be able to do it well. Before the World Cup season this year, it has been extra special. New dressage rules in show jumping mean that show jumpers are only allowed to register ten dresses during one season. Previously it was unlimited. In addition, they must register a certain number of suits before the World Cup weekends. Before the start of the World Cup in Lillehammer in November, there was therefore a burning smell in the sewing room. – No, it was probably between three and four hours of sleep the week before Lillehammer there. But it is also with persistent effort from the others in the support apparatus as well. There were several of us who worked hard to get things in order and things ready, then. With him he has, among others, trainer Thomas Lobben and serviceman Anders Ladehaug. – One was very tired. And I slept a little longer on Monday morning there, even though there are two kids in the house and jump and hello. But one does this with pleasure, he says. The new suit rules The most debated rule before this year’s season is that the International Ski Federation (FIS) has set the maximum number to ten jumping suits per season. Previously, jumpers could wear as many suits as they wanted. A jumping suit should be as stiff as possible to give the best results. Therefore, it is best the first times it is used. From the start of the season, jumpers can register four suits before the opening weekend at Lillehammer. They themselves choose how many they register for that period. Regardless of that, they have a maximum of four suits until the start of Hoppuka. The jumpers then get a new suit for each period, in addition to two new ones before the WC in Trondheim. In addition, jumpers can only wear one suit during a competition day. Previously, they could switch between each round. Thus, the question becomes whether many will wear a few suits at the start, in order to have as many new ones as possible for the highlights of the season, such as Hoppuka and the WC. Over 1,000 days on tour Livelten averages around 200 travel days a year. He has done that since he took the job in 2017. In the last three years, he has also become the father of two children. – For one reason or another, the engine runs. And he does it with pleasure, he says. – What kind of superhuman are you, actually? – No, I’m not a superhuman. I am a guy who enjoys his job and wants to do the best for Norwegian show jumping, he says. SUPPORT PLAYER: Adrian Livelten is always on hand to receive the mares. Photo: NTB Hoppar Halvor Egner Granerud, on the other hand, believes that Livelten is a superhuman. – He means a lot in many areas. Both sportingly, but also humanly. He is a very nice guy first and foremost, and he is also good at what he does, explains Granerud. – Right now I’m really enjoying this. I have a contract until 2026. Then we’ll see if I get a new contract. In any case, I want to do this for quite a long time, concludes Livelten. Published 16.12.2024, at 05.37 Updated 16.12.2024, at 20.32
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