Falun 12-14/3 2002
Close encounter in Falun
It was after the exciting and nerve-racking ski flying world championship in Harrachov that I suddenly made up my mind: I just had to go to Falun to see Wednesday�s competition on the spot!
Said and done - early on Monday morning I had already booked train tickets and lodging. A surprisingly strong feeling of nervousness came over me. I had gone on last minute journeys before, but heading off to a sporting event?! Me - going to Falun to watch thin men in foam rubber suits jumping down a hill. I felt positively foolish. But everything was arranged, with no possibility of cancellation, so I had no choice but to start packing.
The following day I borded the train and had a nice, comfortable journey to Falun, where I had a wonderful little apartment waiting for me.
On Wednesday afternoon I trugded off to Lugnet to experience my first live ski jumping event. I got there early. The test round had just started and it was quite clear that the ski jumpers where enjoying themselves. They seemed relaxed and in good spirits. People started streaming to, the atmosphere was great and the small groups of German and Polish fans stood side by side.
The competition turned out to be a real thrill. Matti Hautam�ki broke the hill record during the first round, and what a sensation it is to see a ski jumper jump that far. It made me feel all warm inside despite the chilling evening air.
Unfortunately the warmth soon faded and I begun feeling rather cold again and despite the high spirited feeling on the stand, I don�t think I was the only one longing for a break. It was wonderful being able to get some warmth back in ones bones trough one of the many open fires burning here and there outside the stands.
The second round didn�t offer as many breathtakingly spectacular jumps as the first, but it was still a high quality competition and the suspence was there til the last jump. It was a well deserved victory for Matti Hautam�ki and it brought me great joy to see Martin Schmitt and Janne Ahonen on the podium as well. And, of course, our Sven.
It was because of the following prize ceremony that I happened to end up face to face with "Hanni".
To get better teve images, the television crew turned the podium the wrong way, away from the audience. So we all had to move to the other side of the arena in order to see anything. I was caught up in a group of Polish fans who knew exactly where to stand to get the best chance of obtaining an autograph from Malysz. I found myself practically trapped, surrounded by people on almost every side. So I stayed put and then suddenly I saw him - Sven Hannawald - heading straight towards me.
I have no idea where I found the presence of mind to open my mouth and say: "Sven...bitte?" in the most warm, deep and honey-soft tone of voice. And it worked wonders because Sven stopped right in front of me, with no fence or barricade in the way, so close that there was no air between us and looked me straight in the eyes. I managed to get hold of a pen from my rucksack, gave it to Sven and he then signed my home made banner. Incredible!
When the people around me realised that he was standing there, pen in hand, they held out their autograph pads for him to sign. And since I�m a rather small woman, Hannawald leaned over me in order to reach them. Talk about close contact! I didn�t expect to ever see my pen again, but before heading off, Sven turned around and gave it back to me. Rather polite, don�t you think?
I was so overwhelmed and surprised by this close encounter with "Hanni" that I didn�t notice anything around me and therefor stepped right into a hole in the ground and sprained my foot pretty badly. Ski jumping is obviously not a harmless sport even if you�re just a spectator. Especially if you have just met your favourite ski jumper. But it was worth it!
Now I know some of you want to know if Mr Hannawald is as good looking in real life as on tv. Sure, he has absolutely beautiful eyes, eyelashes so long you can see them from a distance of ten metres and a very well-shaped face. But when it comes to charisma - well, there was simply no joy in his eyes and he didn�t have the same radiance as some of the other ski jumpers. I personally found both Simon and Martin, each in his own way, more charming and attractive. But even if I don�t find Hannawald the most attractive ski jumper around on the ground (so to speak) it doesn�t change anything when it comes to my great admiration for Sven�s unbeatably beautiful ski jumping style and technique. It is a fantastic experience to see him jump through the air!
�Camilla Lang 2002
