Anders Jacobsen was surrounded
by a large welcoming committee when he landed
in Oslo on Monday. PHOTO: OLAV
OLSEN
The 21-year-old ski jumper
from Honefoss made a spectacular debut at
the Four Hills tournament by winning it on
Sunday. PHOTO: JOE KLAMAR/AFP
Anders Jacobsen was hoisted
up by his teammates after winning the tournament
that Norwegians call "Hoppuka."
PHOTO: REUTERS
Young Anders Jacobsen landed
back in Oslo on Monday, after landing some spectacular
ski jumps that won him the world's most prestigious
title in his sport over the weekend.
Jacobsen, a 21-year-old junior world champion, won
the Four Hills tournament at Bischofshofen on Sunday,
after also winning the opening event that started
a week of ski jumping competition in Oberstdorf.
Jacobsen won the overall tournament ranking ahead
of Austria's Gregor Schlierenzauer and Switzerland's
Simon Ammann.
He was rewarded for his consistency in what fans
home in Norway call "Hoppuka" (Jumping
Week). Most important was the impressive fact that
Jacobsen was making his debut at the prestigious
competition, which in turn made him only the third
debutant to go on to win in the last 50 years.
"This is huge," said the coach of the
Norwegian ski jumping team, Mika Kojonkoski. He
said it was "incredible" that Jacobsen
managed to maintain his focus and stay sharp despite
all the attention on him.
The coach, originally from Finland, said Jacobsen
was visibly tired and tense before the competition,
but performed brilliantly nonetheless.
Jacobsen, known for his wide grin and passion for
ski jumping, called his victory a "dream"
and was greeted at Oslo's airport by a large group
of reporters, fans and autograph seekers.
"Mamma is at the top of the list for a hug
and now I'm looking forward to eat the ice cream
cake she's made," he said, claiming that he
otherwise didn't have much opportunity for celebration
right after the competition. He's already gearing
up for ski flying competition at Vikersund later
this week.
Jacobsen, who works as a plumber when he's not ski
jumping, has been keen on the sport since he was
a toddler. His family has actively supported him
since he got his first pair of jumping skis at age
seven, and his father was in Bischofshofen for Sunday's
grand finale.
Now he plans to relax at home with his family in
Honefoss before heading for the big jump at nearby
Vikersund.
