Podium Missed for Forfang

By NTB

Updated 22/12/2024 at 18:21 GMT+1

Johann André Forfang showcased solid jumping in Sunday’s large hill event in Engelberg but just missed out on a podium finish on a day when several Norwegians performed strongly.

With a jump of 131.5 meters, Forfang stood in 6th place after the first round, 7.8 points behind leader Daniel Tschofenig from Austria.

"I feel I’m getting good results. I notice I miss a bit on the edges, so there is definitely more to give," said the Tromsø native before the final round.

In the finals, he continued his excellent jumping with a distance of 137.5 meters but still finished in the disappointing fourth place. Tschofenig secured the victory ahead of compatriot Jan Hörl, while Stefan Kraft completed the all-Austrian podium.

"I’m really pleased with my progress in jumping. When you finish fourth, it’s natural to think about the podium. It’s a bit disappointing, but overall I’m super satisfied," Forfang told Viaplay after the competition.

Saturday it was announced that Forfang and his fiancée Kristin Solberg are expecting their first child.

"It will be nice to put my feet up for a few days. I’m going into the holiday season with good energy," Forfang added.

Strong Norwegian Efforts

Benjamin Østvold was in 20th place before the final round, but the 23-year-old climbed with a stellar jump of 137 meters. Østvold maintained his lead over several jumpers but eventually was surpassed by Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal. He finished in eighth, while Sundal placed seventh.

"It has been a tough weekend. I haven’t figured out the Engelberg puzzle completely. It’s nice to see Johann finish fourth. We are on to something. Now I’m looking to unwind a bit for Christmas," Sundal told Viaplay after the event.

"It was enjoyable. I felt I struggled a bit in the first round, but I managed to get better in the second. Then it flowed a bit better," Sundal reflected.

Marius Lindvik had a much poorer showing, as did Fredrik Villumstad.

Halvor Egner Granerud struggled in the first round and the World Cup winner from the 2022/2023 season did not get a chance to jump in the final.

"There’s really no energy in it," concluded Viaplay expert Anders Jacobsen.

"Will Be Hardly Punished"

28-year-old Granerud was the clear standout in ski jumping two years ago, yet he couldn’t replicate that form last winter, finishing 24th overall in the World Cup.

"It’s just how it is these days. It’s a bit frustrating. You get harshly punished when you jump poorly and don’t have the weather gods on your side. I’m getting a bit tired of jumping when conditions aren’t favorable," Granerud remarked to Viaplay after his unsuccessful jump.

World Cup leader Pius Paschke also completely failed in his first jump, thereby ruining his chances for victory ahead of the final.

Sunday’s large hill event in Engelberg was delayed by half an hour due to challenging snow conditions, resulting in the women’s event being canceled midway through the first round. The jury eventually decided it was unsafe to continue with the World Cup event at that point.

(© NTB)

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