Former competitor: ‘Now jump against my son’: 51-year-old Kasai achieves something historic in Sapporo

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He does what makes him happy in life – even at the age of 51, Noriaki Kasai beams into the cameras after a jump of 106 meters. Kasai doesn’t have to worry about being 30 meters less than qualifying winner Manuel Fettner. His jump is enough for 45th place and entitles him to participate in the World Cup competition on Saturday.

The ‘pterosaur’ expands on some of the records it set. His 470th World Cup start is as much a record as jumping off a ski jump at the highest level at the age of 51. But Kasai is not satisfied with these records: he wants to participate in the World Cup again. He is only allowed to compete in Japan because Japan was given extra starting places at the home event. His coach, who was 18 years younger than Kasai, promised him even more missions if he took the opportunity at the 1970 Olympic ski jump.

Ex-competitor Schuster thinks it’s ‘crazy’

Kasai’s performances also amaze experts. Werner Schuster (54), coach of the Swiss ski jumpers from 2007 to 2008, takes his hat off to how the veteran fought his way back. It is remarkable how Kasai fought his way back into the Continental Cup, said Schuster in his role as co-commentator for Eurosport. “I really had to laugh. I jumped against Kasai myself, now he jumps against my son. It’s crazy what he’s still doing at the age of 51.”

Schuster’s son Jonas is 20 years old and has competed for Austria three times in the World Cup so far. So he would still have 31 years to reach 470 appearances at the age of 51.

Source : Blick