Walter Hofer – “The time of hill records is over”
He will care 50. birthday at the world cup
in Oberstdorf. He's not a big stage man, striving for popularity. Walter Hofer, for twelve years “Lord of the hill”, describes in an interview for www.skispringen.com, what was raised by the Ski Jumping Committee of the International Ski Federation FIS, changing the rules again, how he assesses the activity in ski jumping of the Chinese and Russian national teams, and what to expect in the new season.
There were many critical voices in Val di Fiemme and Innsbruck due to the poor attendance, that put the value of the Summer Grand Prix into question.
How do you see it?
Walter Hofer: “We planned the Summer Grand Prix very strictly, in terms of the number of jobs – and you know what?
We had enough countries, who wanted to organize the competition. We were limited by the FIS to four dates on purpose, although it could easily be ten. What will it look like in the future? This is a question for members of the International Ski Federation. They should be asked about the further development of summer ski jumping”.
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The summer Grand Prix is an interesting testing time for the FIS. New rules are being tried, new equipment. Jumpers need to pay attention to new things. The suit must be close-fitting, tolerance up to six centimeters, can be measured at any point. A layman asks a question: Are these new rules not enough??
Walter Hofer: “I remind you, that the time of reform has begun, when we were confronted with the topic of being underweight.
Three or four years ago we could have wiped out a whole generation of players with radical changes.
We didn't want it, we are of opinion, you have to take small steps, and we concentrated on overalls.
Changing it is much less expensive, than skis, or ski jump profiles. This year we had to take two steps, instead of one. Our rules from a year ago were interpreted differently by the teams.
I can see now, after observations in the summer, goal of our effort:
there will be no more breakthrough moments in the hardware sector, because we are the ones who are at the greatest risk, if the knight no longer reaches point K”.
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New equipment does, that the speed of the competitor on the inrun will decrease significantly, even to 1,5 kilometer per hour. What will change?
Walter Hofer: “The difference can be quickly explained. More aerodynamics, bigger suits and lighter weight made a difference last year. Now that's changing: lower runway speed, less rebound, plane flight parabola, lower flight altitude and sharper landing angle, and therefore less force acting on the jumper.
Long jumps cannot be stopped, and the spread between good and bad jumps is very large.
Maybe there won't be so many jumps anymore, but it will result in a smaller dispersion between players, the competition will be more exciting. The whole field is getting tighter, but not far away”.
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We understand you well? No hill records, no world records?
Walter Hofer: “In this theory, the time of record jumps and flights is over. In extremely good conditions, there will definitely be long distances, but another problem arises: it will be more difficult for the player to stop such an attempt.
However, the competition will be spectacular, but not dangerous.
In Innsbruck, the majority jumped above the K-point, but none too far away”.
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Lord explained, the players get closer.
There will still be a difference between a good player and a weaker one?
Walter Hofer: “Also, if the difference in one series between two jumpers is no longer three or four meters, like last year, but one or two, it will be the same situation for the inferior knight.
It will come to him with exactly the same difficulty, take a smaller loss, and, like last year, he will have little chance, to overtake the better. Basically, I stand by it, that we will see a lot less bad jumps, and it will certainly do our discipline good. “.
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If two competitors jump the same distance, you would have to think, not to measure the distance every half a meter, maybe in centimeters.
Walter Hofer: “We would have technical capabilities, to measure each stroke with an accuracy of five centimetres.
However, the biological system of humans speaks through this: from approx 1,60 do 1,80 meters tall, half a meter wide, from 60 do 70 kg weight. Where is the center of gravity? Where do you have to measure when jumping with a telemark, which one derives in a different form than the other?
I will give one comparison: if the javelin sticks into the ground, distance can be measured exactly in centimeters. It falls flat, attempt is invalid. Application: All, which in ski jumping is measured more accurately than half a meter, is not meaningful, because it is a distorted measurement”.
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From principles to medicine: In alpine skiing, competitors will be tested for the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). Ski jumpers too?
Walter Hofer: “Definitely. The doping list of the WADA Anti-Doping Commission also applies to us. THG is an anabolic steroid, supporting power building.
We are pleased, that there are now stringent controls, and that there have been no positive cases yet”.
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You were briefly in Moscow and you mentioned, that soon again
The World Cup will be held in Russia. How specific are these plans??
Walter Hofer: “Not very specific yet. I was in Moscow, to solicit support for ski jumping. I showed the activists of the International Olympic Committee, Ski Association and political representatives,
Moscow with great potential in the field of ski jumping.
There are several hills and in the past Russia had great jumpers like Zakadse, Kamensky or Napalkov. This is the job of the FIS, pay attention to their traditions in Nordic skiing and support them.
I believe, that in three to five years it will be possible to organize international competitions in Russia. Next spring I will be in Moscow for three days, I will review the potential contest organizer. I will make myself available in word and deed, to develop concrete plans”.
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A ski jump should be built in Dubai…
Walter Hofer: “This is the third project, which has nothing to do with
with the International Ski Federation. In Moscow there are the first accents set by FIS. FIS did, as in Poland or elsewhere, first steps”.
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And when will there be a competition in China?
Walter Hofer: “The ski jumping hill in Harbin was built already in the nineties, and Asian competitions were already organized there. I see Russia as a medium-term project, and China as long term. The union is currently working with private investors and coach Heinz Koch to build the team.
In year 2006 we want, for Asians to compete in the Turin Olympics. From the International Ski Association, the Chinese receive all the necessary information.
But the World Cup competition in China?
The time will come, I believe, that ten more years”.
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From the future to the present. What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
Walter Hofer: “I believe in continuing the trend with many, different winners, in the revival of traditionally strong countries, such as Slovenia or the Czech Republic, in a strong second suit of the Polish national team and in the victories of the best five: German, Austria, Finland, Norway and Japan.
What am I hoping for, that new faces – Kokkonen, Morgenstern, Roman hours – make life difficult for the famous, that they will not be overwhelmed by the mass of achievements. We cannot ignore Ahonen or Goldberger or Schmitt, and we don't want it. Will this be a year of breakthroughs?? I'll tell you in six months…”
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You have been the active Director of the World Cup for twelve years. Have you had any thoughts?, to end its activities?
Walter Hofer: “My God, twelve years. This is the result of it, I took my responsibilities seriously, which I took over – I see at least a lot of work ahead of me, how far behind me”.
Walter Hofer, thank you for the interview and we wish you a lot of success in the new season!