The day after Johann André Forfang’s ground record and victory in Willingen, Silje Opseth (24) provided more Norwegian cheers on the jumping hill.
Published:
Today 12:05
Updated less than 2 hours ago
– I was inspired by Johann. It looked good too two Norwegians on the podium yesterdaytwo Norwegians on the podium yesterdayJohann André Forfang won. Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal was third.. I also wanted to have fun today, says Opseth in his victory interview.
Thus, her sixth World Cup victory in her career was a fact. The previous one came on 13 March in Lillehammer last year. Her best result this season was a fourth place, also from Lillehammer.
Opseth therefore led after a cannon jump of 141.5 meters in the first round. She had good conditions and used the buoyancy masterfully. That gave her 108.5 points and a lead of 7.4 points down to Sara Takanashi. The Japanese jumped 138.5 meters.
– That’s a huge jump by Silje, said Viaplay’s expert Anders Jacobsen – and added:
– I wish Silje a lift here.
Watch the first jump below:
And what a ride it was. With a glide of 150 meters in the second round, she kept the competition behind her and won in Willingen. Slovenian Nika Prevc was the closest to challenging the 24-year-old, 8.1 points behind.
– It has been two good days now. It is very good for the whole environment that we are finally getting something out of what we have worked for this season. Now it happens in two big races. It tastes very good, says Clas Brede Bråthen, head of sports at the Hopping Association, to VG.
He says that both the men’s jumpers and Opseth have struggled with margins against and high shoulders this season.
– Silje has struggled a lot this year, but then they come to a hill where the conditions are a bit intense. You get to focus on a few other things. They let loose more. What Silje is doing is really bad, says Bråthen.
Opseth is open that it has been a tough season, but now she is on her way back.
– The victory comes after hard work over time. I haven’t felt at my best. I’m not there yet, but I’m getting close. I’m really happy with the day, says the 24-year-old after the long-awaited victory.
Clas Brede Bråthen is very impressed.
– It has been difficult for her. She has been so far behind on the overall list far behind on the overall list Opseth is in 15th place overall after Sunday’s victory. She stands with 317 points. She has 632 points up to leader Nika Prevc. It is far behind the level she herself has aimed for and which we know she is good at, says Bråthen – and adds:
– But she works on and fights her way through the heavy blows. She shows enormous strength today, says Bråthen.
This has really started to loosen up for the Norwegian jumpers. So it was on Saturday that Johann André Forfang set a hill record and won in Willingen. It was Norway’s first World Cup victory in the 2023/2024 season. Now Opseth has collected victory number two.
Published:
Published: 04.02.24 at 12:05
Updated: 04.02.24 at 1:40 p.m