For Halvor Egner Granerud, this ski jumping season is anything but going according to plan. The reigning overall World Cup winner is now pulling the ripcord and sitting out for the time being.
Granerud announced to the Norwegian TV station “NRK” that he would be skipping several World Cup competitions.
“The most important thing is that I give myself a break because my head is completely boiling,” said the 27-year-old, explaining his reasons. “I need to get my jumping back under control and I feel like I don’t have as much energy anymore,” Granerud revealed.
Ski jumping: Season ends at the end of March in Planica
It makes “no sense to travel around every weekend and bang your head against the wall,” said the Norwegian. “I will sit out until everything is in order again,” said Granerud.
The ski jumper will probably be missing in Willingen, Lake Placid and Sapporo. He could then return before the end of the season. The 2023/24 ski jumping season ends at the end of March in Planica, Slovenia.
Granerud was the dominant man last winter. The Scandinavian won both the overall World Cup and the Four Hills Tournament. Granerud, on the other hand, is currently only in 16th place in the overall ranking. At the Four Hills Tournament, the 27-year-old was only 27th as defending champion. Now he’s pulling the ripcord.
Ski jumping: Granerud “hasn’t completely given up on the season”
“I haven’t completely given up on this season, but I feel like I have to do something different. I’m doing this because I hope I can take something away from the season,” Granerud said. The ski jumping ace wants to take one step back to take two steps forward.
The best Norwegian this winter is Marius Lindvik, who ranks ninth in the overall World Cup. Granerud follows behind.