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Even jumping from normal jumps inspires the spectators down in the run or on the screens with a lot of respect.
But when it comes to the Giant Bakken, even the athletes are still standing in front of it in amazement and look up with awe.
Ski flying with distances beyond the 200-meter mark is special, the world record is even 253 meters, held by the Austrian Stefan Kraft.
It is the supreme discipline - especially since nobody can train it.
The five ski jumping hills around the world are closed outside of the competitions.
The World Championship begins on Thursday in Planica (Slovenia).
One of the top favorites for the title is German Markus Eisenbichler, 28, currently second in the World Cup.
WORLD:
Mr. Eisenbichler, the Ski Flying World Championships are finally taking place.
However, without a spectator.
A laughing, a crying eye?
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Markus Eisenbichler:
I found the cancellation in March understandable, of course, but also extremely sad because I had always wanted a ski flying world championship in this very place.
Flying in Planica!
There I made my first ski flights as a forerunner when I was 18.
An emotional place for me.
I love this hill.
It doesn't matter whether it turns out good or bad for me personally based on the result.
However, these emotions and anticipation are also related to the atmosphere there.
I was really looking forward to the atmosphere, Planica is a huge folk festival - that's what makes it all.
It should be the highlight of the past season, actually the highlight of my career.
WORLD:
And now?
Eisenbichler:
Well, now we will come to terms with the situation - just like we do permanently in ski jumping.
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WORLD:
Werner Schuster says you are one of the last real ski flyers.
They have the ski flying gene and are mentally made for it.
Why do you like that?
Eisenbichler:
Maybe because that's what I've always dreamed of.
Already when I started ski jumping.
At that time I was still a combined athlete, but I already knew: “I really want to ski flying.” I found it fascinating how long the athletes float in the air.
At some point the decision was pretty easy - and I went to specialty jumping.
The German record was also always a big goal of mine.
And now the Ski Flying World Championships at this unprecedented point in the season.
I'm really excited to see how it will be.
I'm looking forward!
WORLD:
You broke the record in Planica, of all places.
At 248 meters.
Describe to a viewer what is going on inside you.
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Eisenbichler:
It's so different from normal ski jumping that we're used to.
While flying, I forget everything for eight seconds - every stress, every thought.
I only enjoy what's happening, the speed, the weightlessness.
It's just fascinating.
I would love to always do that.
WORLD:
How is the mood up among the athletes - calmer, more tense?
Eisenbichler:
It really depends.
On the first jump, when we all come back to a ski flying hill, everyone is very focused, concentrating only on themselves, we hardly talk to each other.
But then, a little later, it is sometimes even more relaxed - at least that's how I perceive it.
Personally, I also have the feeling that it's not about the idea of competition, but about flying.
That you can do that at all.
Eisenbichler is currently second in the World Cup
Source: AFP
WORLD:
The dimensions are larger in all areas.
What role do fear and respect play?
Eisenbichler:
The latter plays a very important role.
But when I was back in Planica last year, I had a different feeling for the first time.
Before I take the first flight, I always look at the hill - and when I was younger I didn't waste a thought on what could happen, I just thought: “Great, I'm looking forward to it.” Last year I stood for the first time before and thought: “Holla, that's huge.
You can't throw it. ”Thinking like that isn't bad - then you are even more focused.
But it was a new experience for me that I had a touch of fear for the first time.
WORLD:
The cheers of the jumpers who flew really far speak volumes.
What's going on inside you?
Eisenbichler:
When I've flown far and had an extremely good feeling, I'm actually rather sad at the first moment when I come up.
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WORLD:
You confuse me.
Why this?
Eisenbichler:
Because I know it's over.
I'm no longer in the air, I'm back on the ground with reality.
But then I immediately hear the audience cheering, the emotions come up and I notice how good it was - the adrenaline rush is extreme.
Difficult to describe.
If it doesn't have to be suitable for minors ...
WORLD:
Nope.
Eisenbichler: ...
then you can compare it to sex.
Ski flying is almost as good as sex.
Just a feeling that cannot be described.
You have a lot of thoughts in your head, but you can't sort them out at all, you're just extremely happy.
WORLD:
How great is the mental exhaustion after a ski flying weekend?
Eisenbichler:
I'm totally screwed, I need a day or two of rest, only regenerative training.
I also have to sleep in the next day.
Ski flying is really another house number.
That sucks extremely.
WORLD:
Do you notice that in the meantime?
Eisenbichler:
At the weekend I don't really notice the tension, but when I'm at home and all the pressure, effort and nervousness have dropped, it gets all the more intense.
Last year after ski flying in Oberstdorf I was completely exhausted.
And yet I wanted to train on Monday - for whatever reason.
I immediately injured myself because I was not really doing what I was doing and extremely tired and broken.
You never stop learning.
I should have given myself a day more rest.
"Ski flying is really a different house number," says Eisenbichler
Source: AFP
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WORLD:
The world record is 253.5 meters.
What else is possible - 300?
Eisenbichler:
Of course you want to keep flying, but I don't even know whether the material is made for it.
If you see how the skis bend when they land, I'm skeptical.
With 300 meter flights you would have to have another 20 km / h more in the approach - which is really a lot - and you accelerate in the air ...
WORLD:
How fast do you fly?
Eisenbichler:
We have top speeds of 130 to 140 km / h in the air.
At some point it is hardly possible to perceive all of this and to control it safely.
With the distance there will definitely still be possible, 270 meters maybe, but I won't experience 300 meters anymore.
And I think it's good the way it is now.