Daniel Forfang – Everything subordinated to ski jumping
This jumper was undoubtedly the discovery of the summer 2004.
Although Daniel Forfang did not participate in the first competitions in Hinterzarten and Courchevel, he managed to finish the Summer-Grand-Prix in third place. By winning in Innsbruck and Hakuba, the Norwegian won the admiration of spectators and experts alike. If Forfang repeated the success also in winter, it would by no means be sensational.
Moving to Trondheim – become a jumper
The story of jumper Daniel Forfang, however, did not begin this summer, but in a year 1995. 16-When Daniel was 18 years old, he left his family home in Tromsoe, northern Norway, moving to Trondheim. He had only one goal then: be a great player.
Trondheim offered him the best development opportunities, or to be more precise, the Troenderhopp club there.
“The conditions are perfect in Trondheim, to combine school and sport” says Forfang, looking back over the years, in which he was a member of the Norwegian B team. Already then, he began to achieve notable results in the Continental Cup, but it was still a long way from the world class.
The good result in Lillehammer opened the way
At the end of the season 2003/2004 Forfang was recovering from a severe knee injury. Only an operation performed in May in Trondheim allowed him to fully recover. The Norwegian successfully started again with starts in the Continental Cup. The second and third places in the two competitions in Lillehammer made it clear to the coaches, that it's time to give him a place in the squad for the Summer-Grand-Prix.
Forfang immediately repaid his trust, with two wins and two second places.
It was a real sensation. 24-the year-old quickly joined the world leaders and the group of favorites of the upcoming winter season.
“Jumping on one knee”
“Before the operation, I was actually jumping on one knee”,explains Forfang his sudden explosion of form.
“I always knew, that I can be a good player.
I have always had excellent conditions in Trondheim. Now, in the summer after the operation, everything really worked”, happy Norwegian.
“A lot has changed in my life”
Norwegian media after summer success again “discovered” 24-puppet, whose father is the president of the ski club in Tromsoe.
“A lot has changed in my life in the last few weeks, sometimes i'm recognized on the street”, says Forfang.
“Window cleaning, to be a jumper”
For nine years, that's how long Forfang lives in Trondheim, everything is subordinated to ski jumping.
“By the time of the Summer-Grand-Prix, I was making money, cleaning windows. I did it during the day, and in the evening I could train and…” continues Forfang “…I will keep doing it, to be a ski jumper”.
No problem with the newly created experience
Has Daniel Forfang thought about it, that the pressure and expectations of the fans could cause him problems in the winter?
“Really not”, Forfang says confidently, “I don't bother with expectations. I know, I can be a good jumper
and if he shows it in competition, I'll be in the lead”.
A world-class team
Now, when Forfang is mentioned among the main favorites of the World Cup, it has a big advantage over many competitors.
Roar Ljoekelsoey, Björn-Einar Romoeren and Sigurd Pettersen are three players, which jumps at an extremely high level. Forfang can use the advice of experienced colleagues.
“This is basically true”, admits Forfang, “however Björn-Einar Romoeren and Sigurd Pettersen are not jumping here in Trondhein. But next to Roar Ljoekelsoey, other great players train here, such as Tommy Ingebrigtsen or Henning Stensrud. This already gives very good opportunities for comparison.
We haven't jumped since our training camp in Oberstdorf five weeks ago. I can't say exactly, how do I fare in direct confrontation”.
Waiting for snow
In a few days for Forfang, as well as for everyone else, winter begins. “Actually, I wanted to make my first snow jumps in Lillehammer on Wednesday, but failed. It's too warm, the hill will not be ready until the middle of next week. I don't know where or when we'll start.
Basically, we're all waiting for a call right now”.