Vikersundbakken or Vikersund Hill is a ski flying hill at Vikersund in Modum, Norway. It is one of the two largest purpose-built ski flying hills in the world. Nine world records have been set there, including the current record of 253.5 meters, set by Stefan Kraft. The complex consists of a large hill, a normal hill and several training hills.
Vikersundbakken
Image: Vikersundbakken
Ski flying is a winter sport discipline derived from ski jumping, in which much greater distances can be achieved. It is a form of competitive individual Nordic skiing where athletes descend at high speed along a specially designed takeoff ramp using skis only; jump from the end of it with as much power as they can generate; then glide – or 'fly' – as far as possible down a steeply sloped hill; and ultimately land within a target zone in a stable manner. Points are awarded for distance and stylistic merit by five judges. Events are governed by the International Ski Federation.
Simon Ammann flying down the hill in Vikersund, 2011
The first ever ski flying events were held at Bloudkova velikanka in Planica, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (pictured in 1963)
Josef "Sepp" Bradl was the first ski jumper to land a jump of more than 100 m (330 ft)
Franc Pribošek in Planica, 1936