WATCH: Japanese Olympic champion soars to ‘unofficial’ world record ski jump in Iceland

New Delhi: Japan’s Ryoyu Kobayashi scripted history by flying 291 meters in Iceland on Wednesday to set an unofficial world record. Red Bull, the organiser of the event, termed the jump as ‘the longest ski jump in history.’

Ryoyu, who won the 2022 Beijing Olympics individual normal hill gold medal, took off on a special hill set up on a slope in Akureyri and made a world-record landing.

Ryoyu was elated after achieving the remarkable feat. Though he was disappointed not to touch the 300-meter mark.

“I’ve always wanted to fly further than anyone ever has. I’ve been hoping to keep pushing the boundary of ski jumping. It’s a dream come true,” said Kobayashi.

Japanese Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi soared to a world record 291m (around 954 ft.) ski jump, shattering the ski flying and ski jump world records. pic.twitter.com/VmDXiGDM83

— ABC News (@ABC) April 25, 2024

While the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) recognised the jump on its official website, it also clarified that it was not performed under the official conditions necessary to be acknowledged as a world record.

The official ski jumping record is against the name of Stefan Kraft of Austria, who soared to a distance of 253.5 meters marked at Vikersund, Norway, in 2017.

Why Kobayashi’s effort is not recognised as an official world record?

Because Kobayashi’s jump in Iceland was not organised under competition conditions, and according to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) regulations, it can’t be considered an official world record.

While the Japanese displayed extraordinary performance, it can not be compared to a FIS Ski Flying World Cup as the event was held under special conditions. The fact that both the start date and the entire event were tailor-made for a single athlete makes the comparison even more unfair and impractical.