The World Cup start in Ruka still with two victories (Saturday and Sunday) and one second place (Friday), but there was little sign of that when Riiber dislocated his shoulder after a jump on Thursday. The Norwegian has dislocated his shoulder on a number of occasions in recent years, and was very down. He was so far down that he has said in several interviews afterwards that he was considering quitting. Fortvila put Riiber in touch with sports manager for the combined national team Ivar Stuan and race director at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Lasse Ottesen. – I heard if they had any job offers. I was quite quick on the ball, says Riiber. Just a week later, it’s already a bit strange to look back on the sudden job search. – It’s probably not my proudest moment, that I had so little faith, says Riiber. He is a little embarrassed by the strong reaction. But at the bottom lie real feelings and thoughts that he takes very seriously. – What I do is very vulnerable. I have dedicated my whole life to top sport. I feel that things depend on whether I do well or badly. I have a family to support, so there are a lot of feelings that come up in the blink of an eye, he says. LEADER: Lasse Ottesen. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Ottesen: – So that it wasn’t just nonsense Ottesen confirms to news that the biggest star in combined sports actually started the job hunt last week. – He mentioned that it was over. Then he said: “If you have a job for me, Ottesen, I’m open”. I saw it as a slightly humorous comment, but I also saw in the face that it was not just nonsense, says the race director. Ottesen is clear that Riiber has a job at FIS on the day he wants it. For now, however, he has no greater desire than for the Norwegian to continue to excel in combined sports. – Such resources we wish to associate with us. We’ll have to take it in a few years, then we’ll sort it out. – Having someone like Jarl in the system is really great. It’s extremely impressive, so let’s hope the shoulder lasts as long as possible, says the race director. Have you met the pig Jarl Magnus Riiber? Sports manager in combined, Ivar Stuan, has invited news sport to visit his pig farm. There he tells, among other things, that he is calling some of the pigs after the combined runners, then athlete Jørgen Graabak reacts. Was mentally finished with the season A week later Riiber insisted that he was seriously considering putting his skis on the shelf. – There were a lot of feelings. “Now I’m done”, sort of. I shed a few tears then, he says. – I had sacrificed a lot in the last few months to get in shape. When it happened, I realized that it’s hopeless to do top sports when I can’t hit the ski jump once. I was mentally ready for the season to be over. Now he is in the place of World Cup manager and ready for competition in Lillehammer. Both Saturday and Sunday there are competitions for the men, while the women are in action on Friday and Saturday. Plan operation Riiber has long been number one in combined. Something he also hopes to be in the years to come. But the shoulder is and will be a nuisance. He wishes to be set aside time to see a shoulder expert and perhaps be set a date for surgery. Ideally, it shouldn’t ruin his chances of winning the World Cup overall, but also not spoil too much of the charge towards the WC on home soil in 2025. – I have to keep an eye on that shoulder all the time, through every single race. – What do you think about the possibility of surgery? – It is necessary. It is not sustainable as it is now. I can’t come to the WC on home soil, which will perhaps be the biggest thing I get to experience as an athlete, and be in a sprint duel where I think that my shoulders can’t dislocate, says Riiber. Here he becomes the world’s first 00:54 Surprised by the coach’s addiction: – Okay?! 00:52 – Did he know anything about golf? 00:49 “Spyking” surprised: – Best known for spy clips on VGTV 00:48 Show more
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