#latenitenostalgicthoughts

[j-blully]

Some late nite nostalgic thoughts on ski jumping

We’re already halfway through this year’s 4HT and I got somewhat nostalgic. I DAMN MISS those 14/15, 15/16, 16/17 seasons. Do you remember:

tiny Fannemel setting the world record in Vikersund?

Prevc and Freund fighting for the Crystal Globe till the very last competition, ending with a tie-break?

Hayboeck and Kraft being frequent guests at the podium, also celebrating together just like in Bischofshofen?

Koudelka, Kasai and Amman sharing the podium (and sometimes even the first place)?

Kenneth showing all disbelievers that patience eventually pays off?

happiness on Vincent’s face after his good jumps?

Rune jumping like crazy in Falun?

Prevc siblings fighting against each other? Those are only some of the finest memories that stuck in my head. Don’t get me wrong, but - as a person who’s been watching ski jumping competitions for 15 years or so, I cannot feel the spirit of ongoing season. It simply doesn’t touch me the same way anymore. Something has apparently changed and I’m quite not comfortable with it.

[j-blully]

Another late-night ski jumping thoughts

Okay, what I’m about to write down here may be a very unpopular opinion and I’ll probably get bashed for it, but... anyway I feel I need to say it out loud.

What we could unfortunately experience in today’s competition in Zakopane (I’m talking about David Siegel’s fall) is undoubtedly a dreadful situation, but not any new to ski jumping. And when accident like this occurs, we always start to discuss who’s resposible for this kind of a tragedy - careless judges, badly prepared hill, tough weather conditions... ??? 

What I want to point out is that (at least in my opinion) a coach should not under any circumstances choose young and/or unexperienced jumpers only to eg. safeguard a podium for the national team. Please, understand me well - I don’t blame Schuster for what’s happened, but maybe he (and other coaches as well) should choose team members wisely, bearing in mind that not every jumper can already react properly for unexpected and difficult situations, esp. when there’s a group pressure behind all of it.

Maybe sometimes what matters more is a jumper’s life and health (and future career at the same time) and not distance, points, podium and medals...

I’m truly devastated and I keep David in my thoughts </3