– It has been difficult, and it has been a strange start to the season. For everyone except Germany and Austria, it has been almost historically bad, says Halvor Egner Granerud to news. The World Cup and show jumping winner last year is in 16th place in the World Cup summary. He is the second best Norwegian behind Marius Lindvik in 15th place. Among the top five, there are only Austrians and Germans. Stefan Kraft from Austria leads with over a hundred points. The good start is important. History is different for the Norwegian team, which has taken a total of 381 points in the World Cup so far. According to news’s overview, this is the worst point capture since the 2001/02 season. The team then had 116 points after six races. – There is no crisis atmosphere, but we are in no way comfortable with the situation, says the Hopland team’s sports manager Clas Brede Bråthen to news. POSITIVE: Despite a bad start, sporting director Clas Brede Bråthen denies that they are in a crisis. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news This is also the first time since the 01/02 season that Norway has not been on the podium in any of the first six World Cup races. – As long as we manage to turn it around, it is not critical. If it stays like this the whole season, it will be difficult. But we are not that far away, says national team coach Alexander Stöckl to news. – Couldn’t bear to eat two dinners The trainer points out that there have been challenges linked to changes to regulations and equipment. But underlines that it is not the main cause of the problem. – It has meant that we have not entered the season in a good way. But we have to put up with it, and we do. People are motivated to make it happen, and the problem lies mainly in technical matters, says Stöckl. One person who has struggled with the changes is Granerud. Before the season, the mares had to weigh themselves without a dress. This meant that everyone became lighter, and a reduction in weight means shorter skiing times. Therefore, Granerud tried to increase 800 grams to keep some of the length of the ski. It has cost. – It has affected the season so much that I have dropped back down to normal weight and reduced my skiing time. I couldn’t bear to eat two dinners a day anymore, says Granerud. He explains that it is better to just have a new ski length instead of having to have both a new length and weight. – I still have that weight on because it has been natural to be there. Until then, I feel confident that it was right to cut two more centimeters off the ski. It feels better to compete in Klingenthal without having a lump of lunch in your stomach, he says. – The season is a bit ruined Due to the bad start to the season, last year’s winner of the world cup is already over 400 points behind Austrian Stefan Kraft at the top. The goal was to win the World Cup, but now the 27-year-old is focusing on Hoppuka. – It is very disappointing to feel that we are three weekends into the season and that he is already a bit devastated. But at the same time I was very aware that a lot was new this winter, he says. He has been clearly the best Norwegian jumper in recent years, but does not feel any extra pressure. – There are many who have the potential to lead the team. I feel that I would like to be higher up on the list myself, and when I am so far down on the list, it would have been “nice” if we had at least one up there. Until now, the two leading nations have been Austria and Germany. The Germans lead the Nations Cup with 1,350 points. Austria follows a hundred points behind. But behind them it is far down. Slovenia follows in third place with 565 points, then Norway comes in fourth place with 381 points. Poland has had a leaden start to the season this year and is in 7th place with 113 points. – There are a number of opportunities in demanding times and. We just have to make sure that we have that approach to it. We must dare to take action that we believe in, says Bråthen. – We work with technique and some tuning of equipment to ensure that the athletes have an easier time getting to a more favorable angle. We are working on that, and we are on the ball. We are not that far away, and I am optimistic that we will make it happen, says Stöckl.
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– It has been hard – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
