Just thought that this would be a fun (and useful) thread to have in the run-up to the Olympics!
So, may I start off with this challenge.
As you may have gathered from some of my comments, I am also a fan of ski jumping.
Ski jumping is like figure skating in that it is considered a “young person’s sport”.
The Women’s World Cup has only been going for a few years, so it is hard to judge what is the normal age to retire. But, what is already noticeable is that there are very few jumpers over the age of 25 – most of the girls are either in their teens, or early twenties.
In the Men’s World Cup, the general trend is that most of the jumpers retire when they are in their early thirties...
...then there’s the Japanese. They just keep carrying on! It’s funny, because most venues use the “national group” slots to give their young jumpers a chance to compete on the big stage. In Japan, they give these slots to the old heroes of the past, such as:
Takanobu Okabe, who is now 43 (1995 Normal Hill World Champion; 1998 Olympic Team Champion)
Kazuyoshi Funaki, who is now 38 (1997/98 Four Hills Champion; 1998 Ski Flying World Champion; 1998 Olympic Large Hill Champion; 1998 Olympic Team Champion; 1999 Normal Hill World Champion).
The oldest of Japan’s regular jumpers is 1992 Ski Flying World Champion Noriaki Kasai, who is now 41. In the commentary the other day, it was pointed out that if he is selected for Sochi (which, given the way he is jumping at the minute, looks very likely!), it will be Noriaki’s SEVENTH Olympics, after:
1992 Albertville
1994 Lillehammer
1998 Nagano
2002 Utah Olympic Park
2006 Pragelato
2010 Whistler
Unsurprisingly, with 6 Games under his belt, Noriaki Kasai holds the record for competing in the most Olympics in ski jumping.
That started me wondering:
1. What is the record for the most Olympics competed at in figure skating, and who holds it?
And, taking this further:
2. What is the record for the most Olympics competed at in each category of figure skating, and who holds it?
And for a “Brucie Bonus”, can you name all the Games that each answer competed at?
It only took me a few clicks to find out the answer for the overall record holder (and hence the category that this answer competed in). But, I have no idea what the answers are for the other categories.
So, the floor is now open to anybody who fancies a go!
CaroLiza_fan
NOTE: For those that are wondering what a “Brucie Bonus” is, it is a well-known phrase in the British Isles for an extra prize. It originated from the game show “Play Your Cards Right”, presented by Bruce Forsyth.
So, may I start off with this challenge.
As you may have gathered from some of my comments, I am also a fan of ski jumping.
Ski jumping is like figure skating in that it is considered a “young person’s sport”.
The Women’s World Cup has only been going for a few years, so it is hard to judge what is the normal age to retire. But, what is already noticeable is that there are very few jumpers over the age of 25 – most of the girls are either in their teens, or early twenties.
In the Men’s World Cup, the general trend is that most of the jumpers retire when they are in their early thirties...
...then there’s the Japanese. They just keep carrying on! It’s funny, because most venues use the “national group” slots to give their young jumpers a chance to compete on the big stage. In Japan, they give these slots to the old heroes of the past, such as:
Takanobu Okabe, who is now 43 (1995 Normal Hill World Champion; 1998 Olympic Team Champion)
Kazuyoshi Funaki, who is now 38 (1997/98 Four Hills Champion; 1998 Ski Flying World Champion; 1998 Olympic Large Hill Champion; 1998 Olympic Team Champion; 1999 Normal Hill World Champion).
The oldest of Japan’s regular jumpers is 1992 Ski Flying World Champion Noriaki Kasai, who is now 41. In the commentary the other day, it was pointed out that if he is selected for Sochi (which, given the way he is jumping at the minute, looks very likely!), it will be Noriaki’s SEVENTH Olympics, after:
1992 Albertville
1994 Lillehammer
1998 Nagano
2002 Utah Olympic Park
2006 Pragelato
2010 Whistler
Unsurprisingly, with 6 Games under his belt, Noriaki Kasai holds the record for competing in the most Olympics in ski jumping.
That started me wondering:
1. What is the record for the most Olympics competed at in figure skating, and who holds it?
And, taking this further:
2. What is the record for the most Olympics competed at in each category of figure skating, and who holds it?
And for a “Brucie Bonus”, can you name all the Games that each answer competed at?
It only took me a few clicks to find out the answer for the overall record holder (and hence the category that this answer competed in). But, I have no idea what the answers are for the other categories.
So, the floor is now open to anybody who fancies a go!
CaroLiza_fan
NOTE: For those that are wondering what a “Brucie Bonus” is, it is a well-known phrase in the British Isles for an extra prize. It originated from the game show “Play Your Cards Right”, presented by Bruce Forsyth.