Ski Jumping Teams from United States and Norway Create Partnership

USA Nordic Sport and Norges Hopplandslaget, Norway’s national governing body for ski jumping, have announced a formal partnership to advance the sport worldwide that will see both organizations working together and coaching athletes at training camps in both nations.

The partnership has been approved by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and is designed to elevate training, coaching and athlete performance. Norway has won more Olympic ski jumping medals and gold medals than any country while the United States has won one medal all-time in the Games.

“Norwegian ski jumping has been recognized as one of the best in the world since the first world record in ski jumping was set in 1808 by Olaf Rye,“ said Tom Bickner, USA Nordic Sport board chair. “Our organizations are partnering for athlete development, coaches’ education, national team training, sport science and sponsorship efforts because it is the best way to transform the sport of ski jumping. Our mutual goal is to make our sport more relevant and exciting for young women and men around the world.”

Under terms of the partnership, staff of both organizations will work to coach athletes from the United States and Norway in training camps in both nations. The U.S. and Norwegian national teams will share sport science and work together to establish and secure global sponsors as they train for the FIS Championships and future Olympic Winter Games.

“When it comes to the discipline of competitive ski jumping, our goal is to solidify Norway’s position as the most important ski jumping nation in the world,” said Clas Brede Bråthen, national team leader for Norway who will serve as the leader for the combined training team. “Combining the resources of the U.S. and Norway will help fulfill our intense desire to be a leader pushing the sport of ski jumping to the highest possible level worldwide.”

The agreement spans up to four years and will be governed by a formal charter and an oversight committee.

“FIS applauds the unprecedented agreement between Norway and the United States to collaborate toward achieving athletic greatness,” said Sandro Pertile, FIS race director for ski jumping. “Both organizations are committed to setting new standards, processes and approaches that can be shared with other ski jumping teams worldwide. Our organizations and athletes are proudly showing our children and the world how we can work together to achieve greatness.”