Noriaki Kasai, the 51-year-old Japanese ski leaping icon, competed in an abroad World Cup occasion for the primary time in 4 seasons on Friday, ending thirty eighth within the 50-man occasion in Finland.
Kasai made his record-extending 572nd World Cup look in Lahti, however his soar of 117.5 meters was not sufficient to qualify for the highest 30 for the second time.
“I wasn’t nervous or something, however for the time being of takeoff I felt surprisingly nervous,” stated the athlete, who’s competing in his eighth Olympics. “It was my first expertise. I could have felt pressured.”
Japan’s Noriaki Kasai (left) speaks to abroad media on the Ski Jumping World Cup held in Lahti, Finland on March 1, 2024 (Kyodo News)
Kasai, who scored his first World Cup level in 5 seasons on the event in Sapporo on February 17, stays a well-liked determine with Finnish followers asking for autographs and pictures.
“It’s good to have the ability to compete in opposition to younger jumpers, and I’m additionally completely happy to see the massive crowd cheering,” he stated.
“I’m wanting ahead to seeing how properly I can compete as soon as I get higher.”
Japan’s Ryosuke Kobayashi poses for a photograph after ending third on the Ski Jumping World Cup competitors in Lahti, Finland on March 1, 2024 (Nordic Focus/Kyodo News)
At the identical event, Ryosuke Kobayashi jumped 127 meters and 131 meters and took third place with 254.9 factors, surpassing Kasai with 64 World Cup podium finishes on the similar event.
Slovenia’s Lovulo Kos jumped 127 meters and 134 meters to win with 262.5 factors, adopted by Germany’s Andreas Wellinger with 275.1 factors.
“It’s not regular to leap at World Cup stage at that age. It can be a bit of too tough for me,” Kobayashi stated of Kasai.
Related protection:
Ski leaping: Kobayashi 2nd place, Kasai thirtieth place at World Cup competitors