- Hoppuka, third race, on TV 2 at 1.30pm
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN (Dagbladet): He won the New Year’s show jumping competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1982. On Sunday – 41 years later – Roger Ruud witnessed Halvor Egner Granerud (26) win the same competition.
The Norwegian leads Hoppuka in the general classification. At 13.30 today he is ready for the third race in Innsbruck in Austria. And Ruud loves what he sees.
– I think Halvor wins Hoppuka. It’s in the flow zone. This is when he jumps at his best. That’s never how it goes in a flash, says the show jumping legend, who won nine World Cup races in the 1980s.
TRIUMPH: Roger Ruud won the Holmenkollen race in 1981. Photo: Erik Thorberg / NTB
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Roger Ruud is at his best when he comes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and watches the ski jump. He doesn’t hide that the last few years have been brutal.
A year ago, he told VG that he had incurable cancer. Some time before the interview he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. He was told he might have two years to live.
– It’s been two years, says Ruud, who has taken part in both ‘The master of masters’ and ‘Shall we dance’.
– They found a chemotherapy drug that slowed things down nicely. It (cancer) will always be there. As of right now, it’s even slower, but they’re in worse shape. I don’t work the way I want. It’s hard to accept when I’ve been as active as I have been. But there are many who have the same problem. This is one of the new popular diseases.
ENJOYING SKI JUMPING: Roger Ruud travels with a group of eight. They have a great time in Hoppuka. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
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Ruud continues:
– Constantly get reminders when you try to do a little extra. But it will be as it will be. I’m having fun here, though. This is healing. This is the best medicine for me.
Ruud is with an entourage of eight. They celebrated New Year’s Eve with sweaters at the Mercure hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
– We have a lot of fun and get good service. We are good. People here appreciate good results and care for older people, says Ruud.
Poland burns
Although it has been a few years since it launched, it is recognized in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
– It’s funny, special and a little weird. I was interviewed by the local newspaper last year. Show that you did something that matters. I’m happy for this.
Ruud was seen as a rebel in the glory days, someone who brought attention to the sport of show jumping. He developed a good friendship with Clas sporting director Brede Bråthen. In The German-Austrian Hoppuka they met again.
IN HIS ELEMENT: Roger Ruud thrives in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
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– It’s always nice to meet Roger, says Bråthen to Dagbladet.
– I’m in a good mood when I’m with him, even if his life has been hard at times, especially lately. We are delighted that he is here and he is an ambassador for the sport of show jumping. He is one of the most popular jumpers ever in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
– Where would you place him in Norwegian show jumping history?
– Roger holds a special place. He hasn’t really won that much, beyond the race in Holmenkoll and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He has never won Hoppuka, WC or Olympics. But there is so much more to Roger. That means he’s among the big profiles, says Bråthen.
PLEASANT MEETING: Roger Ruud has a chat with the families of Norwegian jumpers. From left: Trond Lindvik, Trude Tande, Torill Lindvik and Svein Granerud. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
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– I’d like to compare him a bit with Bjørn Einar Romøren. They are different as people. But both are good dudes who managed to draw attention to the sport of show jumping when they were active.
Ruud says he will watch the race today at the Bergiselbakken in Innsbruck. It starts at 13.30 and is broadcast on TV 2. Granerud has a 26.8 point advantage over the Polish Dawid Kubacki.
The jump concludes on Friday in Bischofshofen. So a Norwegian can stand on the top step of the podium, for the first time since 2007.
