World’s Longest Ever Ski Jump (New Record)

World’s Longest Ever Ski Jump (New Record)
Quizzed ESL Activities

World’s Longest Ski Jump: A New Record

This video documents the ambitious project to set a new world record for the longest ski jump ever. It follows the meticulous planning, construction, and eventual attempt by ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi to achieve an unprecedented distance, pushing the boundaries of the sport.

Building the Unbuildable: The Jump’s Creation

The initial and most significant challenge was the absence of a ski jump large enough to accommodate the record attempt. This necessitated the construction of a custom jump. Experts were brought in to calculate precise specifications, including a 34-degree slope and a 250-meter length, taking into account air pressure and other critical factors. The team tirelessly moved over 120,000 cubic meters of snow, working day and night to prepare a run that mimicked standard ski jumps, but on a much grander scale.

Battling the Elements: Weather Challenges

Throughout the construction and preparation phases, the team faced significant weather challenges. Rough conditions, particularly strong winds, posed a constant threat to the project’s timeline and the safety of the jump. The video highlights the tension as the team waited for optimal conditions, with wind being the sole factor that could derail the attempt due to the high speeds (around 105-107 km/h) and extended airtime (9-10 seconds) involved in such a massive jump. Safety protocols were paramount, with strict monitoring of wind conditions before any jump could be attempted.

The Record-Breaking Attempt: Ryoyu Kobayashi’s Feat

Despite initial setbacks due to wind and the difficulty in finding the ideal rhythm, Ryoyu Kobayashi, whose lifelong dream was this record, persevered. After several attempts, facing pressure and varying conditions, he finally achieved a successful jump. The video culminates in his incredible leap, landing safely at an estimated distance of 291 meters, thereby setting a phenomenal new world record and marking a historic moment in ski jumping.

Final Thoughts

This endeavor showcases not only the athletic prowess of Ryoyu Kobayashi but also the immense dedication, engineering expertise, and perseverance required to push the boundaries of human achievement against natural obstacles. It’s a testament to vision and relentless effort.

Vocabulary Table

Term Pronunciation Definition Used in sentence
Smash /smæʃ/ To hit or break something with great force. In this context, to break a record forcefully. There are so many challenges to smash this world record.
Meticulous /məˈtɪkjələs/ Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. The project required meticulous planning to ensure success.
Unprecedented /ʌnˈprɛsɪdəntɪd/ Never done or known before; without previous instance. Ryoyu Kobayashi aimed to achieve an unprecedented distance.
Custom /ˈkʌstəm/ Made or built to a customer’s special order. They needed to build their own custom jump.
Precise /prɪˈsaɪs/ Exact, accurate, and careful about details. Experts had to figure out exactly what was needed to make this jump work with precise specifications.
Derail /diːˈreɪl/ To obstruct the progress of; to cause to fail. The wind was the only thing that could derail this because the speed is so fast.
Paramount /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ More important than anything else; supreme. Safety protocols were paramount, with strict monitoring of wind conditions.
Optimal /ˈɒptɪməl/ Best or most favorable; optimum. The team waited for optimal conditions to make the jump.
Setbacks /ˈsɛtbæks/ A reversal or check in progress; a temporary defeat. Despite initial setbacks due to wind, Ryoyu Kobayashi persevered.
Persevered /ˌpɜːrsɪˈvɪərd/ Continued in a course of action despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Ryoyu Kobayashi persevered through challenges to achieve his dream.
Phenomenal /fəˈnɒmɪnəl/ Remarkable or exceptional, especially in an impressive or surprising way. He set a phenomenal new world record.
Historic /hɪˈstɒrɪk/ Famous or important in history, or potentially so. It was a historic moment in ski jumping.
Prowess /ˈpraʊɪs/ Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field. This endeavor showcases the athletic prowess of Ryoyu Kobayashi.
Engineering /ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪərɪŋ/ The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. The project required immense dedication and engineering expertise.
Boundaries /ˈbaʊndəriz/ A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line. In this context, limits of achievement. The team pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in ski jumping.

Vocabulary Flashcards



Lexical Focus: Collocations & Chunks

Don’t just learn isolated words—learn chunks of language. These patterns will help you speak more naturally.

  • smash this world record
    Verb + Noun Collocation
    There are so many challenges to smash this world record.
  • figure out
    Phrasal Verb
    We first had to figure out exactly what we needed.
  • right slope angle
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    We had to find the right slope angle and length conditions.
  • all the calculations
    Noun Phrase
    So after all the calculations and modeling.
  • move snow
    Verb + Noun Collocation
    We have to move snow as much as possible.
  • quite rough
    Adverb + Adjective Collocation
    The weather is quite rough.
  • longest ski jump ever
    Adjective Phrase + Noun
    It’s the longest ski jump ever, so huge.
  • take off
    Phrasal Verb
    He will take off, launching himself and flying through the air.
  • flying through the air
    Verb + Prepositional Phrase
    Launching himself and flying through the air around 9 to 10 seconds.
  • extremely important
    Adverb + Adjective Collocation
    The weather and the wind conditions are extremely important.

De-Chunking: Complete the Expressions

Select the correct phrase from the box below to complete the sentences.

figure out
smash this world record
take off
right slope angle
move snow

1. There are so many challenges to .

2. We first had to exactly what we needed to make this jump work.

3. We had to find the and length conditions.

4. We have to as much as possible day and night.

5. He will launching himself and flying through the air.



While-viewing Tasks

Complete these tasks while watching the video:



Guided Notes

Fill in the key information as you watch:

  • Main goal of the video:
  • Key challenges in building the jump:
  • Important weather conditions:
  • Ryoyu Kobayashi’s initial speed:
  • The final record-breaking distance:

Questions to Answer

  • What was the initial problem preventing the world record attempt?
  • How much snow was moved to build the ski jump?
  • Why are wind conditions so critical for a jump of this magnitude?
  • What is the name of the ski jumper attempting the record?
  • Describe one moment when the weather almost stopped the attempt.

Checklist

  • Understand why a new ski jump had to be built.
  • Identify the key specifications of the new jump (slope angle, length).
  • Note the amount of snow moved during construction.
  • Recognize the role of weather, especially wind, in the attempt.
  • Follow Ryoyu Kobayashi’s journey to his record attempt.
  • Identify the final world record distance achieved.

Embedded Video:

Fill in the Blanks Exercise

1. The video showcases the world’s biggest ski ever built.

2. The team faced challenges because there was no ski jump big .

3. They needed a real to build the massive structure.

4. The slope angle was set at 34 .

5. They had to find the right slope angle and length .

6. Over 120,000 cubic meters of were moved to prepare the run.

7. The calculated speed needed for the jump was 105 .

8. The only person who can confirm if it’s right is .

9. Ryoyu Kobayashi would be flying through the air for around 9 to 10 .

10. The was the only thing that could destroy the attempt.

11. The weather and wind are extremely important.

12. An official waved him with a flag when it was safe.

13. Ryoyu was struggling to find the ideal in earlier attempts.

14. Conditions were looking really good when he finally safely.

15. The final distance of the jump was 291 .

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does it mean to “smash a world record”?

a) To break the record gently
b) To break the record with great force or success
c) To hit the record book
d) To create a new record

2. If something is “meticulous”, it means it is:

a) Very careful and precise
b) Done quickly
c) Without much thought
d) Easy to understand

3. “Unprecedented” means:

a) Often done before
b) Well-known
c) Never done or known before
d) Easily forgotten

4. A “custom” item is:

a) Standard and common
b) Made to a special order
c) From a large factory
d) Very cheap

5. “Precise” is closest in meaning to:

a) Approximate
b) Vague
c) Careless
d) Exact

6. To “derail” a plan means to:

a) Obstruct its progress
b) Help it succeed
c) Make it faster
d) Change its direction slightly

7. If something is “paramount”, it is:

a) Of secondary importance
b) Rarely considered
c) More important than anything else
d) Difficult to achieve

8. “Optimal” conditions are:

a) Average
b) Best or most favorable
c) Challenging
d) Unknown

9. “Setbacks” are:

a) Reversals or checks in progress
b) Great successes
c) New opportunities
d) Strong motivations

10. To have “prowess” means to have:

a) Fear
b) Lack of skill
c) Great wealth
d) Skill or expertise

Fact or Fiction Quiz

1. The team had to build a custom ski jump because no existing one was big enough for the world record attempt.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

2. More than 120,000 cubic meters of snow were moved to prepare the run.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

3. The weather conditions were consistently perfect throughout the entire construction and jumping process.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

4. Ryoyu Kobayashi’s initial speed for the jump was around 105 to 107 km/h.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

5. The new world record distance achieved by Ryoyu Kobayashi was 291 meters.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

Extension Activities

Choose from these activities to extend your learning:



Research Project: History of Ski Jumping Records

Research the history of ski jumping world records. Create a timeline highlighting key athletes, distances, and technological advancements that contributed to breaking previous records. Consider factors like ski design, jump construction, and training methods.

Difficulty:
Medium

Reflective Journal: The Role of Perseverance

Write a journal entry reflecting on the importance of perseverance and dedication as demonstrated by Ryoyu Kobayashi and the team. How do they overcome challenges, and what lessons can be applied to your own goals?

Difficulty:
Easy

Debate: Human vs. Technology in Sports

With a partner, debate the extent to which technology (e.g., jump design, weather prediction) influences human performance in extreme sports like ski jumping. Is the achievement more about the athlete or the tools?

Difficulty:
Hard

Data Analysis: Optimal Jump Conditions

Work with a partner to research the optimal atmospheric and wind conditions for ski jumping. Present your findings, explaining how these factors are measured and controlled during competitions.

Difficulty:
Medium

Design Challenge: Future Ski Jump

In a group, design a concept for a “future ski jump” that could allow even longer distances, considering aerodynamics, safety, and spectator experience. Present your design with justifications.

Difficulty:
Hard

Create a Mini-Documentary Script

As a group, write a short script for a mini-documentary about breaking a world record in an extreme sport. Focus on the narrative, challenges, and triumph, similar to the video you watched.

Difficulty:
Medium

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