On Tuesday, a mysterious video emerged from an unknown mountain in Iceland. The video was supposed to show Ryōyū Kobayashi attempting to set skiing records.
In the Icelandic media, it was speculated whether the Japanese – who won the Hoppuka in the 2023/24 season – was present on Saga Island to set a new standard in ski jumping: Jumping over 300 metres.
Monster jump: 291 metres
On Wednesday it became known: With a hover of almost ten seconds and a speed of 107 kilometers per hour at its fastest, Kobayashi landed at a slightly incredible 291 metres, 37.5 meters longer than Stefan Kraft’s official world record (253.5) from Vikersund back in 2017.
– It is difficult to put this feeling into words. This is a dream come true, he said after the jump which you can see here:
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The record attempt has been planned for almost two years, and has been kept very secret.
Former pole vaulter from Poland, Adam Malysz, now reveals that he was asked to do the same when he was still active.
– The Austrians once had a similar idea and invited me to participate, they also wanted to build a special hill. But I was just about to end my career, my head was already somewhere else, so I declined. But in the end the idea fell apart and was not implemented anyway, says Malysz, according to Sport.pl, which writes that the Pole refused.
Malysz has legendary status in jump-crazy Poland. The track record speaks for itself.
- Four WC golds
- Three Olympic silvers
- Four overall victories in the World Cup
- 39 individual victories in the World Cup
- One jump week win
HISTORIC GLOBE: Ryōyū Kobayashi’s 291m long glide in Iceland is the longest ever. Photo: Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
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Immediately after Kobayashi’s jump, Malysz directed criticism at the International Ski Federation (FIS).
– It is not good that FIS is blocking this development. After all, they cannot avoid that there is a rush for distances. Ski jumping is an extreme sport. Of course, safety is important, but jumping is starting to lose its popularity, he said.
In a press release, the FIS stated that Kobayashi’s jump will not be counted as an official world record.
– Ryōyū Kobayashi’s jump in Iceland did not take place under competitive conditions and in line with FIS regulations. They showcase the achievements of an extraordinary athlete under very special conditions, but cannot be compared to a World Cup race.
Halvor Egner Granerud was thinking something of the same when he spoke to Dagbladet right before the jump.
– It would have been the longest ski jump ever, but it would not have been a world record. Then you must have more or less the same opportunities. But it’s incredibly cool anyway, said Granerud.
