Ski jumping: Norway ready to look to the future
Last March, right in the middle of the world ski jumping championships in Trondheim (Norway), a scandal broke out in the media. The directors of the Norwegian national team were caught red-handed handling their athletes’ suits, which is strictly forbidden.
Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and many members of staff have been suspended. And while theFIS investigation continues to this day, the Scandinavian team’s director, Jan-Erik Aalbu, recently spoke to Nettavisen about the affair.
For him, his team must “learn from this scandal while looking to the future”. It’s a strong statement that demonstrates the Norwegian team’s determination to move on quickly. We must now start to look to the future, even if it has been a difficult period for many,” he explains. Many will say that it was deserved. A mistake was made, but that’s the way it is, and we can’t change anything today.”
” We have to challenge ourselves and remember that we are heading for an Olympic season “.Jan-Erik Aalbu at Nettavisen
And while a number of major sponsors have withdrawn in the wake of the scandal, Jan-Erik Aalbu remains positive. “The last five weeks have not been a good time to look to the future. It’s been a difficult time for everyone involved in Norwegian ski jumping, especially our athletes, as well as many others,” he admits. But now we have to look at ourselves and remember that we are heading for an Olympic season.
The Norwegians need to get back up to speed quickly ahead of two important winters: Milan/Cortina (Italy) in February 2026 and the World Championships in Falun (Sweden) in 2027.
Coach Magnus Brevig still in the dark
“I had a lot of discussions with the lads. It was very hard for them because they weren’t allowed to take part in the competitions. But now I see a little glimmer in their eyes,” says the jumpers’ boss. They haven’t completely turned the page yet, but they’re starting to look to the future and get back on track.”
However, coach Magnus Brevig is still suspended by the Norwegian Ski Association and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). It remains unclear who will be responsible for getting the Norwegians back on track.
On the men’s side, the situation isn’t completely clear yet and I don’t like it when it happens like that before training resumes,” regrets Jan-Erik Aalbu. We have to be ready before 1 May, but I think everything should be back to normal from 1 June.
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