portrait: Anette Sagen, the farewell of a pioneer
Anette Sagen, the farewell of a pioneer
This week, the ski jumping family has been shaken by the announcement of Anette Sagen's retirement. The news has relevant importance, as we are witnessing the farewell of one of the greatest personalities in the sport and first legend of the "pink circus". "I simply don't have fun anymore", commented the 30 years old Norwegian, protagonist of a slow, constant decline over the years which brought her to this decision.
Born on 10/1/1985 in Mosjøen, Sagen is member of the Helfjell UL skiclub. She's been one of the masters of female ski jumping, dominating the Continental Cup era with five consecutive overall wins (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) and a stunning number of 88 podium finishes (45 wins, 24 second places, 19 third places); she also achieved the bronze medal in Liberec '09, first edition of the female World Championships, behind Ulrike Grässler and the winner Lindsey Van. Anette couldn't keep up with her habitual results in the World Cup, introduced in 2011/12, but wrote her name in the history of ski jumping with the only Norwegian World Cup win this far (Schonach, 6/1/2013). Her total loot sees 9 podium finishes: 1 victory, 1 second place and 5 third positions, plus 1 win and 1 third place in mixed team competitions.
Speaking of World Championships, Sagen was also 22nd in Oslo '11 and 7th in Predazzo '13, while something will lack forever in her career: a participation at the Olympic Games. The only valid race was in Sochi, but Anette wasn't there, as she hadn't been selected for the kermesse. In 2007 she had a small role in a Norwegian comedy, Bent Hamer's "O' Horten".
We must now get ready to say goodbye to the pioneer of female ski jumping, who decided to give it in after not having been selected for the WCs in Falun. Thank you Anette. Results may change in a sport career, but the honour keeps intact.
- by Edoardo Vercellesi
