– I think it’s sad that it disappears from the timetable without me knowing exactly what the reason is. Whether it’s because it snowed and things stayed the way they were. There was clear dissatisfaction, but at the same time Lillehammer is good at organizing, says Robert Johansson to news. The jumper and the little hammer will probably have their home removed from Raw Air next season. On Saturday came the FIS draft for the 2023/24 calendar, where Lillehammer has been replaced with Granåsen. That Granåsen will come in after the redevelopment is obvious, Johansson points out. At the same time, he wants to go back to four hills – and not three – as it was from the start of Raw Air. REACTS: Robert Johansson. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB – No reason to be ashamed The FIS board will give its final approval of the Lillehammer wreck at a board meeting on 24 May. The organizer himself was prepared that they could lose Raw Air. – Firstly, we have constantly heard discussions about Raw Air as a tournament and a desire for changes, without us knowing that it applied to us. Secondly, it was a special situation during Raw Air this winter, says Per Olav Andersen. In March, the Lillehammer ground was not ready for the start of the competition. A lack of snow removal crews meant that the organizer was unable to remove the forecast amount of snow, which led to delays. “A gross misjudgment”, concluded a self-critical Andersen at the time. – Having said that, there is a discussion about how we could prepare the ground. Only using machines and not pedals was a theme that Monday. We have professional ground crews unlike many other organisers. We maintain World Cup standards in training. Our crews, athletes and coaches who are there daily, thought it would be best to do as we did, says Andersen today. – But it was a mistake based on the regulations. In retrospect, taken as a whole, we delivered four relatively good races both in terms of time and quality. We have no reason to be ashamed even though there was a heated discussion that day, he adds. FIS: – Not World Cup standard Many were naturally dissatisfied with the organiser. Among them was Norway’s sports manager Clas Brede Bråthen. However, the organizer does not know how much the blunder played into the FIS decision. – Bråthen and I relatively agreed on what the challenge was. It played a big role in the atmosphere during the event in any case. But how it played now, I don’t know. That it alone should have such great importance, I don’t think so, says Andersen. – But not unimportant either? – Certainly not unimportant, no. It is there, says Andersen. FIS’ race director Sandro Pertile first explains the wreckage by saying that FIS wants to increase the value of Raw Air, and they will discuss how over the next few weeks. At the same time, he is clear that the competition in March, with a lack of runners, did not maintain a high enough standard. – They have to work to get to a better level. It is out of respect for the other local organizing committees, too, says Pertile to news. – This is an important decision, and Lillehammer is an important place. We collect feedback from teams and we received some very negative comments. We have also looked back in time. We will work together with Lillehammer to get them back where they should be. People must recognize that this did not meet World Cup standards, says Pertile. FIS TOP: Sandro Pertile. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Pertile does not want to estimate how much the FIS has emphasized the episode in March. – I choose to look at it positively. There is an opportunity to change, that should be the focus. What happened does not help us if we do not look forward. Learn from the past, and work towards the future, says Pertile. – Damn good Robert Johansson thinks it’s sad if that episode was decisive. – For me, it’s damn easy. We can look as far back as the WC in Planica, where there were combined rounds with only pedalers. Lillehammer suggested first pedaling, then machine and then go over with ski jumping. They only tried ski jumping in Planica, and there were several falls forward due to lugging. When the ground was ready in Lillehammer, there were fantastic conditions. In my opinion, security was taken care of. I think it’s really crazy if it’s the session that’s going to ruin it, says Johansson. Alessandro Pittin complained on the plain after falling badly in Planica. When the next mare also fell, the race was restarted two hours later. Silje Opseth also thinks it is sad that the home arena seems to be disappearing from Raw Air. – I would very much like to see Lillehammer on the programme. It’s a hill I feel comfortable in, says Opseth, who, however, emphasizes that there are several perspectives to take into account. WON: Silje Opseth won the Raw Air race in Lillehammer in March. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Pertile does not want to comment on Johansson’s comparison with the WC. – I don’t need to comment on that. If they have the motivation to improve, I don’t see the problem, says Pertile. The first draft for the 2023/24 calendar in jumping also foresees two ski flying races with World Cup status for both women and men in Vikersund during Raw Air. In addition, German Oberstdorf will apply for a women’s ski flying race. If the proposals are approved, for the first time there will be jumping on the world’s biggest slopes for the women also in the World Cup.
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Lillehammer can be wrecked – receives harsh criticism after “stepping mistake” – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
