April 25, 2025

In the world of ski jumping this week, scandal is still flying higher than any athlete’s jump. Even after the season’s end, whispers of manipulated suits keep coaches awake at night. One Norwegian jumper accused the FIS of finding mischief in his fabric, despite independent lawyers pleading otherwise—proof that sometimes the biggest mystery on the hill is what’s stitched into the suit.

Meanwhile, organizers of the legendary hill in Vikersund are convening crisis committees after racking up a loss of roughly 315,000 € from dwindling crowds. “It simply cannot continue like this,” sighed one official, as he pondered how to reignite the Monsterbakken’s former glory.

Yet off the jumping hills, some athletes are taking more personal leaps. Our cross-country heroine Therese Johaug has asked for extra time before deciding whether to chase Olympic gold one more time or finally unbuckle her skis for good. Will the fourth Games beckon, or will her next stride be into retirement? She’s not rushing her reply.

Over in biathlon circles, rumors swirl that a young star might soon be back in Italy’s colors after two seasons under the Albanian flag. The deadline for her citizenship shuffle looms like a penalty lap—get approval by May 1, or watch an entire year of competition slip away. The drama of a potential nation change is heating up.

Not to be outdone by nation-hopping, veteran Calle Halfvarsson has quietly announced his departure from Sweden’s national team to carve his own path toward Milan-Cortina 2026. After 14 years in blue and yellow, he’s betting that going solo may be the best route to another Olympic start. He’s aiming to write his own training script.

But let’s not forget that in Nordic sport, romance and generosity can glide in as smoothly as a perfectly waxed ski. Ski jumper Jan Hörl surprised his fans—and his bride—with the best posture scores off the hill, exchanging racing gear for wedding rings at Salzburg’s Mirabell Palace. He and Tanja are off on their honeymoon.

And in the biathlon barn, World Cup champion Franziska Preuß received a set of custom skis bedecked in black, red, and gold—each win from her stellar season etched into their glossy surface. It’s a gift that reminds us: behind every bullet dodged on the range is a sponsor with impeccable timing. See her proud moment.

Finally, with Milan-Cortina 2026 just a heartbeat away, Italy’s cross-country stars are getting in one last home-snow tune-up. Simone Daprà and Caterina Ganz wax their skis just minutes from Val di Fiemme’s Olympic tracks, dreaming of roars from familiar faces instead of distant crowds. They’ll use the pressure to go faster.

So whether you’re stitching up a scandalous suit, penning a wedding vow, or simply hoping for a last-minute citizenship swap, remember: in Nordic skiing, every twist has a tale. Keep your poles waxed and your humor as crisp as frosted pines—our saga rolls on!