Ski Jumping - FIS Ski Jumping World Cup - Lillehammer, Norway - November 23, 2024 Norway's Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal during the men's world cup jump Geir Olsen/NTB via REUTERS
(Reuters) - Norwegian ski jumper Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal had a dramatic start to the men's World Cup opener in Lillehammer on Saturday when an advertising hoarding launched him down the ramp prematurely.
The 23-year-old, preparing for his qualification jump in the large hill event, was unexpectedly pushed off the bar by a backboard during a gate adjustment but recovered to land safely and secure a place in the main competition.
Sundal finished seventh overall, while Germany's Pius Paschke claimed victory, with Austria's Daniel Tschofenig and Maximilian Ortner taking second and third respectively.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis)
