May 03, 2010 – Vikersund (NOR) will host the FIS Ski Flying World Championships 2012. The hill, one of the five Ski Flying facilities in the world, is currently being rebuilt. The old Vikersund-Bakken has already been torn down, and the hill – until now hill size 207 m – will likely be significantly bigger in the future. How big, is still to be confirmed depending on the decisions of the FIS Congress in Antalya. The new hill, however, will also be considerably safer and better wind-protected.

The reconstruction plans have existed for a while, as work on them started soon after the FIS World Cup in 2009. The new hill is planned to cost 80 million Norwegian crowns (€10 million), including a new judges’ tower, a lift, spectators area and wind nets. The first stage of the development will be the new hill whilst the entire project will extend over several years.

The new hill will be built where the old one was situated, but it will be turned several degrees and built six meters into the ground to avoid wind problems. On both sides of the hill there will be natural wind shields. The outrun will be elevated 6 meters so it will be at the same level as the small jumping hills. The inrun will be natural and will of course have a cooling system.

The first Ski Flying competition in Vikersund took place in 1966, when Bjørn Wirkola set a new world record (146 meters). In later years the hill has been rebuilt several times, the last time for the World Championships in 2000 when it was extended to a complete K185. The current hill record was set in 2009, by Harri Olli (FIN) who jumped 219 meters.

The new hill facility will be ready for the 2011 FIS World Cup competitions set for February, with the first jump scheduled just days before the competitions.

For updates on the construction click here.

Contributed by Tore Fossen