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From the Olympics Toward Tomorrow

Shinano Mainichi

Ski Jumping Stadium

According to the Physical Education Section of the Nagano Prefecture Board of Education, the Large Hill (formerly 90 m hill) and the Normal Hill (formerly 70 m hill) have been established side by side on the east-facing slope adjoining Nakiyama of Happo'one Ski Area. Nagano Prefecture constructed the Large Hill and Hakuba Village constructed the Normal Hill together on a site with a total area of approximately 120,000 square meters, at a total cost of approximately 7.6 billion yen. Construction started in July 1990.

The two jumps, which remind one of a giant slippery slide, have the Large Hill on the right, looking from the front. The length of the jump itself is 385 m, and it has a vertical drop of 138 m. The Normal Hill on the left has a total length of 318 m and a vertical drop of 107 m. The reasons why the two jumps were constructed side by side on the same site was to allow the incidental facilities such as recording room and the competitor's clubhouse to be shared, to cut construction costs and development area, to cut down competitors' travel time, and to enable spectators to concentrate on the events. The main jumps in the world are constructed in this way, but the jumps at Hakuba are the first to be constructed in Asia in this way. In addition, as a consideration to protecting nature, rather than the improving method which involves cutting away the size of the mountain, turret construction was used in which the natural contours of the hill are utilized and the jump is supported by pillar supports.

A state-of-the-art snow-making system has also been installed. Snow guns blow snow onto each of the jumps, creating good snow cover on approaches and landing zones.

A four-story start tower has been constructed at the very top of each jump, and a covered walkway connects the second floor of the Normal Hill and the third floor of the Large Hill. A lift with a height of 237 m was also constructed between the two jumps to connect the two start towers. After competitors have landed, they use this lift to get to the start tower, and catch the elevator to go to the Normal Hill start building from the second floor and the Large Hill start building from the third floor.

The form judging towers were constructed at approximately the mid-way point for each jump. An electronic scoreboard was constructed below the Normal Hill, and there are two spectator areas. Lawn seating for approximately 20,000 people is available in the L-shaped area surrounding the landing zone, and a stand with a capacity of approximately 25,000 has been constructed on the slope on the right below the Large Hill.

No part of the article, photographs, or illustrations presented here may be printed or used without permission.

Copyright 1999 The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun