Norwegian ski jumpers furious after Ruka competition: "Playing with people's health!"

Norwegian ski jumpers did not hold back in their criticism of the organizers of the World Cup events in Ruka. "It's like jumping into a tumble dryer," Halvor Egner Granerud expressed his frustration. His compatriot, Robert Johansson, chimed in, saying, "They're playing with people's health." The Norwegians believe that the competition in Finland should not have taken place at all.

Continued issues with weather and wind, the need to move the qualifications from Friday to Saturday, coupled with delayed and prolonged training sessions, left the Norwegians shaking their heads and clapping ironically.

"They're playing with human health when they force us to jump in such conditions. One must have control over their body, but there's the worry that one might miss the final jump competition, and it seems all pointless. Instead of focusing on the joy of jumping, I'm left with a heart in my throat – it's unnecessary," Robert Johansson said immediately after the qualifications for Saturday's competition in an interview with NRK.

Halvor Egner Granerud, who jumped only 70 meters and finished last in the qualifications, also did not hide his irritation, describing the conditions as far from safe. "This was horrible. There was a crosswind above the jump and it was unpredictable. We just had to push the gas pedal. I tried that, but my skis slipped away. It was only about staying upright," he shared, adding sarcastically, "I’m glad to still be on my feet. I didn’t feel safe. Things could have gotten even worse here."

Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal, who performed slightly better, also shared his concerns, stating, "It was like flying through a tube," suggesting the organizers should have gone straight to the competition, skipping the qualifications. "The organizer is trying to manage it, but they’re toying with the risk that something could go wrong at any moment. Even the best may not succeed when the wind is like this right now," commented the Norwegian, who ultimately achieved fourth place in the competition.

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