World Cup Kvitfjell - The history 1993-2022 (2012)

One particular person was the centre of attention in the World Cup races in 2012: Kjetil Jansrud. Our own local alpine star. This was his World Cup. This was the day his dream came true.

By Stein B. Olsen and Svein Mundal

First some facts: Before Kjetil came to Kvitfjell in 2012 he had not been on the podium in the Downhill. He had never won a World Cup race. But watching him train was sufficient to understand that something was cooking. Kjetil was the best racer in the trainings, both on Wednesday and Thursday. He was on fire. Suddenly he was one of the favourites. Friday was his first opportunity, and Kjetil came in third, just two hundredths away from getting a victory.

On Saturday he was still in high spirits, and rose to the occasion, this time at number 2. But the ultimate goal was to see him on the top of the podium. One chance left… Sunday and the Super-G. Basically his best discipline.

On Sunday he was a definite favourite. His parents arrived in Norway on Saturday. They had attended a birthday celebration in Spain. His father, Jan, has spent hour after hour with his son in Kvitfjell, day after day, weeks and years. But he wasn’t present when his son bolted in to his best World Cup positions on their own hill on Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday, both his father and his mother showed up early. His mother had even managed to bake a chocolate cake earlier in the morning, and in the mixed zone both the press, service people, and of course Kjetil’s competitors and friends got a treat. The atmosphere was electric. Everything was set for Kjetil to make it to the top. The time was due, Kjetil’s name was already glowing on the top step of the podium. This would surely be his day. Everyone agreed that no one deserved it more. Nothing would be more justified considering his performances earlier in the week.

But of course, this type of thinking doesn’t really apply when it comes to sports. We all know that in this game it all comes down to the small margins, the rules are never set in advance, and nobody can reserve a spot on the top of the podium, regardless of how well deserved it might seem. The rules of sports are relentless that way. Luckily, this was one of those days when the most deserving competitor ended up winning. When Kjetil’s first World Cup victory was confirmed, chaos broke loose. His parents were standing on the sideline, emotions were high. Memories of countless hours of training, the exhilarating ups, the injuries and other obstacles and downs.

When the ceremony was over and the media pressure was declining, it was time for the parents to meet the winner of the day. Father and son shared a long hug. No one said a word. It wasn’t necessary. This was the moment they dreamt of when daddy Jan as a trainer set the course and goal for Kjetil as a 10–11-year-old. Winning the World Cup on home ground. This day the dream was fulfilled.

And finally, of course, Aksel Lund Svindal’s results has to be mentioned. He came in number 5 on Saturday and number 2 on Sunday.

RESULTS:
SG: Beat Feuz (SUI) Klaus Kroell (AUT) Kjetil Jansrud (NOR)
DH: Klaus Kroell (AUT) Kjetil Jansrud (NOR) Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR)
SG: Kjetil Jansrud (NOR) Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) Beat Feuz (SUI)