BISCHOFSHOFEN (Dagbladet): Halvor Egner Granerud feels empty and drained. First he won Hoppuka on Friday, then he won NM gold on Sunday.
On Sunday evening he had to enlist the help of his show jumping colleague Robin Pedersen to complete the journey from Rena to Trondheim.
– It was better for safety that he could drive, so I could relax. There isn’t much gas left in the body now, Granerud tells Dagbladet.
Could benefit from a day off on Monday. The hysteria surrounding it can best be illustrated with this story:
JOY ON JUMPING HILL: Eurosport journalist Kacper Merk (with his back to him) was overwhelmed when Halvor Egner Granerud gave his hat as a present.
sea View
When he was interviewed by international media after his show jumping victory in Bischofshofen, a special incident occurred with the Eurosport reporter in Poland.
– I have a short message from my wife. Love your hat, the reporter, Kacper Merk, told Granerud.
I had a shock
Norwegian was not difficult to pray. He immediately gave the cap of the Norwegian national team to Merk, who was able to pass it on to his wife.
– Thank you very much, said the reporter, which was clearly put on the air. The incident did not go unnoticed by the Polish media over the weekend.
– Granerud’s action shocked everyone, writes the Polish newspaper Super express.
– He took off his hat and gave it to a shocked journalist, he says. The reporter’s reaction was immediate:
– Honey, the hat will come to you soon.
JUBILEE: Halvor Egner Granerud became the first Norwegian in 16 years to win the Hoppuka. Photo: AFP/NTB
sea View
Super Express notes that Granerud not only shows class on the pitch, but off it as well. Jumping is the national sport in Poland. Granerud giving the hat is like Erling Braut Haaland doing the same with the dress.
Granerud says to Dagbladet:
– The journalist is a good boy and always nice. Lua was not for him, but for his wife. I take some of these hats. We appreciate them being with us on the journey. He is there at every race. The only thing missing was that I didn’t give away a souvenir.
– Was he expelled?
– That’s cute.
– You’ve had time to digest the last few days a bit. How are you now?
– I’m fine. I’m really enjoying it. It was incredibly nice to go to Rena and meet Hopp-Norge right away. There I was able to share the experience with them.
STILL ON THE TOP: Halvor Egner Granerud won the NM ahead of Marius Lindvik (tv) and Johan André Forfang. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
sea View
– At the press conference after your show jumping win, you stated that you hoped you were sober for the NM. How was the celebration?
– It got raw. It was just a good party. We enjoyed each other’s company. The glass was seldom empty.
– When were you in bed?
– When I was in bed and when I fell asleep are two different things. I may have been back in the room around 1:30, but didn’t fall asleep until 6:00.
It was said: – Relax
– Were you able to accept that you won the Hoppuka?
– It all seems absurd. This is something I have done many times in my head. When it suddenly happens for real, it just seems unreal. It hasn’t fully sunk yet. Who knows, maybe he won’t either at some point.
NEW TRIUMPH: Halvor Egner Granerud rejoiced after the NM triumph. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
sea View
– Also, you’ve never won NM gold before as a senior. How does it feel?
– I’m satisfied with it. First of all, I am very impressed with the work Rena has done to tidy up the tracks. Huge amounts of snow have fallen. I think I popped in OK and I’m happy about it.
– How will you attack in the next few days?
– The plan is to take life slowly on Monday. Then normally I train on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we go to Zakopane and immediately after to Japan. I want to recover the state after Kulm and see where to concentrate for the rest of the winter. There is a small gap right now. The big goal for the winter has already gone into the penalty area.
Text the airport
Ski WC in Planica starts at the end of February.
– For me, winning the World Cup is more important than gold at the World Cup. If I want to win the World Cup, I have to bet everything.
Granerud points out that ski flying in Kulm can be a key competition. Neither Dawid Kubacki nor Anze Lanisek have the best results in ski flying.
Granerud is third in the standings, 134 points behind leader Kubacki. Competitions here may have something to say for the summary.
He does not come
– Have you received any nice compliments in the last few days?
– I received greetings from both the current prime minister and the former prime minister. Arne Scheie also sent a message, Granerud says.
– There were a lot of good messages. I looked through the last part by car on the way to Trondheim. You notice a big difference between Hoppuka and other races in terms of interest shown by people. There are many who have enjoyed themselves over the past week, Granerud points out.
