Only 14 women for historic ski flight – Athlete withdraws out of fear
Among the Norwegian women, Anna Odine Strøm, Silje Opseth and Maren Lundby have qualified for the ski flying race in Vikersund next weekend, after finishing in the top 15 of the Raw Air rankings on Wednesday.
On the other hand, there will only be 14 women competing on the ski flying track, which is a very first for women in show jumping.
Austrian Julia Mühlbacher chooses to quit after back pain.
– It was decided in advance. I had a back injury and I don’t have many jumps in the big hill. So it’s too dangerous for me to fly on skis. It’s scary, Mühlbacher told NRK.
She is happy that only the top 15 are allowed to jump.
– For the others it is too dangerous. But I think the 15 will get there, and we will see long jumps, she says further.
– Do you think they shouldn’t be open to everyone?
– No, it’s not the right time. Ski flying for women takes time, but I hope we will have the opportunity to develop it further in the next few years. I don’t feel safe now, but I hope to be able to fly one day, she said.
Katharina Althaus won at Lysgårdbakken on Wednesday.
Alexandria Loutitt of Canada finished second, while Austria’s Eva Pinkelnig took 3rd place.
