Granerud started the competition with a monster jump of 142.5 metres, just one meter behind Sigurd Pettersen’s land record, and followed with 139 meters in the final on the Schattenberg hill. It goes on to an overwhelming victory.

As such, the Questioner Boy begins a dream in one of the great highlights of the season.

The victory was Norway’s 49th win in a single event in show jumping. The previous two were taken by Marius Lindvik at Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck in the 2019/20 edition of the competition.

Norway has not won show jumping since Anders Jacobsen climbed to the top in the 2006/07 season. Granerud has obtained an excellent starting point to end the Norwegian desert journey in a winning context.

Great move from Stöckl

Most of the pullers made conditions difficult for many of the jumpers in the Schattenbergbakken. Periodically, however, conditions improve for a lucky few. Granerud wasn’t one of the most unlucky people.

The 26-year-old jumped in relatively good shape in the first round and was the longest with a monster jump of 142.5 meters. He didn’t dare land a punch and was pulled away by the referee because of it.

At the same time, the Questioner boy jumped off the ledge at a slower speed than all the heaviest competitors. It must have been national team manager Alexander Stöckl who ordered a slower pace for his pupil. That’s probably a very smart move.

The reduced pace gives Granerud a few more points advantage than the others, and the Norwegian’s hope of jumping week will hardly be able to jump any farther at the higher speed. Granerud thus got the most out of the first jump.

Compliments the atmosphere

Johann André Forfang was unlucky in the first half at the Schattenbergbakken and had to settle for 122 meters. However, in the final round, he batted for 131 meters and moved up from 21st to 11th place.

– Fantastic day in Oberstdorf. The atmosphere is better than I can remember in years. As usual, there was one good jump and one bad jump from me. But I must be quite satisfied, said Tromsøværing in the press zone.

Marius Lindvik showed progress in the test round on Thursday, but was unable to enter the race. 121 meters in the first round was recognized giving 14th place going into the final. However, the Rælingen jumper landed there at 122 meters. The result is 17th place.

– It’s not the position I expected, but still some positive jumps. I still have to work out the last details, said Lindvik.

Approved by the debutant

Debut jumper Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal also had to jump twice at the Schattenbergbakken. Steady jump of 119 meters in round one to 117.5 meters in jump number two. In the end, the Oslo boy was number 24.

Daniel André Tande landed at 120 meters on his first jump, but dropped to 112 on his next. This resulted in a somewhat disappointing 27th place for the Kongsberg boy.

– I don’t fly well during the day, but my jumping is getting better. Maybe I’ll do well in Garmisch, said Tande in the press zone.

Robert Johansson also had less success in his opening race in the jumping event. 113.5 meters and ranked 28th after the first round followed by 119 meters in the final. This earned 25th place for boys Søre Ål.