May 27, 2010 (Vikersund, Norway) – The 45-year old structure for the Vikersundbakken, the Ski Flying hill in Vikersund, has seen much in the course of its time. Everything however will come to its conclusion, and on Thursday, May 27 at 12:00 noon, the Vikersund facility will come to see its end with a big bang. The demolition of the old hill structure marks the start of the construction of what is planned to become the world’s largest Ski Flying hill.

The huge, old wooden construction began to be built in 1965, and the following year everything was ready for the first jump in Northern Europe’s only Ski Flying hill. The first man out was Torbjorn Yggeseth who landed safely at 97 meters. In 2009, Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) set off as the last man, and won the competition with a jump of 207 meters.

The hill has been rebuilt several times, and the distance record in these years has moved from 146 meters, set by Bjoern Wirkola, to Harry Olli’s 219 meters which he managed in 2009. An increase of exactly 50 percent!

The hill will now be entirely rebuilt and it will be used for the first time during the World Cup and pre-World Championship in February 2011. In 2012, Vikersund will host the FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

Although the stadium is closed to the public during the construction period, are all welcome to watch the demolition on Thursday. NRK of Norway will also be on site to record the event and broadcast it later.