Anders Jacobsen made his debut in the World Cup in November 2006. Only a month later he took his first win in Engelberg and the newcomer sensationally won the 4-Hills-Tournament in the same season. At the World Championships 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 he won at least one medal. After the highlight, Gold with the team at the World Championships in Falun, the Norwegian announced his retirement in April.
FIS Ski Jumping: Hello Anders! How do you spend your time now as a former ski jumper?
Anders Jacobsen: I mainly work for Norwegian television. Apart from that I try to live a normal life and find a normal job (laughs). There's no pressure and I enjoy that. I try to find out what I want to do in the future.
FIS Ski Jumping: So you don't miss being an athlete?
Jacobsen: Of course I miss the adrenalin. I miss the team. I'm close friends with all my former teammates. But I don't miss the daily training, the traveling and the airports.
FIS Ski Jumping: It must also be nice to spend more time with the family.
Jacobsen: Of course I enjoy it a lot. Right now I'm on my way to Vikersund together with my son. We want to watch the team training for the 4-Hills-Tournament.
FIS Ski Jumping: Let's talk about the 4-Hills-Tournament. It has been almost nine years since you won it. How did this success change your life?
Jacobsen: It was like a fairy tale for me. I had just joined the team during this season, a month before the 4-Hills-Tournament I started competing in the World Cup and was third right away. In Engelberg I was competing with Gregor Schlierenzauer, I was first and second. And then came the 4-Hills-Tournament. Everything was really easy for me. I was young and didn't worry about a thing. I just jumped and had fun. It changed my life. I was a normal guy and over night I became a celebrity in Norway.
FIS Ski Jumping: Did you like this development? Or could you have done without it?
Jacobsen: There's two sides to every coin. Some things were good. Suddenly people recognized me. A lot of things get easier when you are famous. At the same time you are in the spotlight. You have to be careful about what you say or do, because you also want to be a role model. It was an interesting experience and I would do it all over again.
FIS Ski Jumping: A year after your win, Janne Ahonen was the last non-Austrian, who could win the overall title of the 4-Hills-Tournament. Do you think that the Austrians will be able to prolong their streak?
Jacobsen: They just started jumping very well again. Especially Hayboeck. Stefan Kraft is also on the right track. And you never know what Gregor will do. He trained in Lillehammer and he might return very strong. And of course there are the Norwegians. We have a lot of very good jumpers. It remains to be seen if we have one who can really win the 4-Hills. Peter Prevc is in the best shape of his life. The Germans have been struggling at the 4-Hills-Tournament for a few years. There hasn't been a German winner for a long time before Freitag won in Innsbruck last year. I'm curious to see Severin Freund competing. He jumped stronger again on Sunday in Engelberg, but he had some problems with the landing. But he has to be reckoned with. Like Noriaki Kasai. He is in the Top 10 constantly. That way you can play a very good role in the overall ranking. It's hard to predict. There are at least ten jumpers who can make it.
FIS Ski Jumping: Do you think that Simon Ammann is one of them?
Jacobsen: Maybe. His landings started to look a bit better in Engelberg, even if they were far from perfect. I talked to him in Lillehammer. After his fall in Bischofshofen last year he is struggling with the landing mentally. It can be expected that he will show his best performance at one of the most important events of the season. I would really be happy for him if he wins, but maybe he is still a bit too far from the top. But we have seen many surprises between Oberstdorf and Bischofshofen.
FIS Ski Jumping: The Norwegians are having an outstanding season with many top jumpers. Did you expect that?
Jacobsen: No, I honestly didn't. It's a very young team. Without Anders Bardal and myself there are hardly any experienced jumpers left. This makes the performances even more remarkable. I know that they were working hard and this is a very well deserved reward. But it's also very surprising. I you ask me, it can continue like that. The guys are pushing each other. I hope that it remains like that because Norway is a very cool team and the guys are also looking good on TV (laughs).
FIS Ski Jumping: What was not looking that good so far, were the disqualifications of the Norwegians. What's the opinion about this issue in Norway?
Jacobsen: There are many discussions about it and people are wondering how this can happen. Just like all the other teams, the Norwegians try to approach the limit when it comes to the equipment. Probably they didn't adjust well enough to the new controls. I think that they really have to work on that and measure more carefully. They are doing an extremely good job in all kinds of fields, but they need to be more consequent concerning the equipment. It's not good when so many athletes of one nation are disqualified. I know that nobody is trying to cheat. I think they a just a bit too lazy to measure thoroughly (laughs).
FIS Ski Jumping: Now it's time to come clean. Who will win the 4-Hills-Tournament?
Jacobsen: Today I would say Peter Prevc.
FIS Ski Jumping: And which Norwegian jumper will be able to challenge him?
Jacobsen: Kenneth Gangnes.
FIS Ski Jumping: Last question: Is there any Norwegian Christmas tradition that the rest of the world should now about?
Jacobsen: That's difficult to say. It's the same everywhere, it doesn't matter if it's in Germany or Norway. We traditionally eat pork liver. And also sheep meat is served. Everything is about eating and the family. I think it's similar to everywhere else.
FIS Ski Jumping: We wish you a merry Christmas and lots of success for the Norwegian team.
Source: fis-ski.com
