INTERVIEW WITH RYOYU KOBAYASHI Feel the numbers , the outrageous world of ski jumping.
. normally I'm fine, but the first run after a fall is scary. People think I am fine with heights, but I am genuinely afraid of heights. I tried bungee jumping before, but I was already scared.... I thought I was going to die."
In ski jumping competitions, the winner is determined by adding the flying distance points to the flying shape points, which are based on the beauty of the flight and landing, but the view from the person flying is unimaginable. The view from a person flying is unimaginable. The competitions that we are used to seeing on TV are, when considered in numerical terms, an extraordinary sport. For example, the starting gate for the large hill is 138 meters high, equivalent to the height of a 30-story building. From there, the skier accelerates down a run of about 100 meters, and when he jumps off the platform, his speed is about 90 kilometers per hour, or in other words, it is as if he is driving on a highway with only his body. The height of the platform is 85 meters, which is equivalent to an 18-story building. By the way, the observation deck of Tsutenkaku Tower is 91 meters high. The flight time from jump to landing is about 4 seconds, which is quite long. There is a video on YouTube that was shot from the perspective of the athletes, so it may be easier for you to relive the experience.
Ski jumping is a popular event at the Winter Olympics. Japan has produced many famous athletes in the past, and it is often referred to as a "house specialty," but there are many discoveries to be made when one examines the details of the sport. What, for example, is the key factor that determines the winner?
. the overall flow of rhythm, balance, and timing. But at the crossing, I can tell if I've got it or not. . I don't think it has much to do with jumping ability or physical ability. But mentality is extremely important. How do you prepare for it? I think experience is a big factor.
The competition is affected by a variety of factors, including not only physical condition, but also weather, form, and annual rule changes. How do they get back on track when they fall into a slump?
In the 2016-17 season, I didn't get a single point on the World Cup, and even Noriaki Kasai told me I was 'lame. I couldn't fly even if I kept doing the same thing, so I felt that I wouldn't grow, so I tried various things. I listened to other people's advice and observed other people's jumps. That kind of image training really hit the nail on the head, and I was able to fly. Even now, to be honest, there are many people who have more practice than I do, and I can't catch up with them in terms of the amount of practice I have, so I try to think about what I should do to make my jumps go farther from various directions.
