On Wednesday, Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi made history by achieving an unofficial world record for the longest ski jump in history. Organized by Red Bull, the event took place on a special hill set up on a slope in Akureyri, where Kobayashi successfully landed. The individual normal hill gold medalist at the 2022 Beijing Olympics expressed his dream of pushing the boundaries of ski jumping and achieving a distance of 300 meters.
Kobayashi described the experience as a dream come true and a goal he has always aspired to achieve. Although the International Ski and Snowboard Federation acknowledged Kobayashi’s jump on its website, they emphasized that it was not performed under the official conditions required to be recognized as an official world record. Despite this, Kobayashi’s achievement marks a significant milestone in the world of ski jumping and demonstrates his dedication to pushing the limits of the sport.
The current official ski jumping distance world record of 253.5 meters is held by Stefan Kraft of Austria, achieved in Vikersund, Norway in 2017. However, Kobayashi’s unofficial achievement serves as a testament to his talent and determination to become one of the greatest ski jumpers in history. With his sights set on reaching his goal of 300 meters, Kobayashi continues to inspire others to push their limits and chase their dreams.