FIS Refuses to Recognize Ryōyū Kobayashi’s World Record-Breaking Ski Jump Due to Competition Conditions

Japanese ski jumper Ryōyū Kobayashi recently broke the world record for distance by almost 40 meters, jumping a staggering 955 feet (291m) in Hlidarfjall Akureyri, Iceland. However, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has announced that it will not recognize Kobayashi’s achievement as his jump did not meet their competition conditions. The FIS explained that while Kobayashi’s jumps were impressive, they could not be compared to a traditional ski flying event because the start date was tailored specifically for him and only resulted in one single flight attempt. For an official record recognized by FIS, a jumping hill must have been certified as homologated and competitors must adhere to strict equipment guidelines set out by the organization’s regulations. Austria’s Stefan Kraft currently holds the longest competitive ski jump with his 253.5m (831 ft) effort in Vikersund, Norway back in 2017. Despite this decision from FIS, Kobayashi was thrilled to have achieved what he described as a “dream come true.” He noted that two months were spent building the necessary ramp out of snow at an impressive height of around 3658 feet (1115 meters) for his record-breaking attempt. Regardless, this is not the first time Kobayashi has attempted to surpass what some have previously thought was impossible. As a determined and passionate competitor with no intentions to dwell on other distractions beyond focusing purely upon self improvement through continuous progression. Though it remains unclear whether he will be able to break his own personal best of 300 meters in the future, one thing is for certain – Kobayashi’s perseverance and drive have allowed him to push boundaries that many believed were impossible beforehand.