March 13, 2024 at 06:36
Kvandal uncertain before the Raw Air conclusion – could miss out on half a million kroner
Raw Air’s sunny leader Eirin Maria Kvandal has not decided whether she will participate in the final in Vikersund. Safety before money, replies the jumping trainer.
Kvandal leads Raw Air 32 points ahead of Eva Pinkelnig. Nika Prevc is in 3rd place, 49.7 points behind. On Wednesday, they will be in action on the big hill in Granåsen before the world elite travel to Vikersund with ski flying on the programme.
22-year-old Kvandal has not jumped ski-flying before, and it is not certain that his debut will come in Raw Air.
– First we are going to jump in the big hill in Granåsen, and then we have to look ahead. We will probably travel down, and then we will see if the conditions are good enough to get the jump, says coach Christian Meyer to NTB.
Kvandal himself was unavailable for NTB after the victory in the normal course on Tuesday evening.
– We have to weigh the pros and cons when it comes to that, but right now it looks good, says Meyer about the chances for jumping in Vikersund.
The Mosjøen jumper suffered a serious knee injury in the Austrian Hinzenbach three years ago. This has meant that a job has arisen to become comfortable on large slopes.
The 22-year-old has pocketed NOK 341,000 so far this season. The first prize in Raw Air is NOK 460,000, in addition to the fact that ordinary prizes are paid in the World Cup in each race.
– We try to think about it a little differently. That money and prestige should not override the development she wants to have in order to realize her potential in the long term. That comes first, says Meyer.
Kvandal himself said this before Raw Air started in Holmenkollen:
– When we get this far in Raw Air, there will be an assessment. I’ll make sure I’m able to compete on that ground. It is a special hill and a special occasion for us girl jumpers. Of course I want to fly, but I won’t do it at any cost, Kvandal told Helgelendingen.
Kvandal took the showjumping world by storm when she won her first World Cup race in Slovenian Ljubno over three years ago, but soon after came the ugly injury. During two days in Raw Air in Norway came victory number two and three.
– Has she cracked a code?
– Yes, you can say that, but I think it mostly depends on the security when you get more good repetitions, more good landings with impacts. Then it becomes a little easier to believe in, says Meyer.
Kvandal and co. jumping qualification (it also counts in the Raw Air summary) in Granåsen at 11.
(©NTB)