200 Trucks Save Ski Jumping World Cup Competitions

Ski jumping in Lillehammer is facing an unprecedented situation this season, as the city prepares to host its first World Cup competitions without any natural snow. To combat this, organizers have ingeniously opted to utilize reserves of artificial snow stored from the previous season. According to Norwegian media, the preparations involved transporting over 200 trucks of consolidated snow to create a proper jumping surface for the upcoming events.

Interestingly, the usage of last year's artificial snow instead of snow cannons is a first for these competitions, driven by the unseasonably warm weather that limited snow-making capabilities. The stored snow, kept as a safeguard for such circumstances, is being processed and transported to the jumping hill under pressure to ensure it remains light enough for use.

Despite the lack of snow elsewhere in the city, organizers are confident in the hill's excellent condition, with project leader Mikko Kokslien stating that the slope is in great shape, thanks to the hard work of 30 staff members over three days of preparation. This situation marks the first of its kind in Lillehammer in many years.

Five Polish ski jumpers will represent their country at the event, including Dawid Kubacki, Kamil Stoch, and Paweł Wąsek, while Piotr Żyła recovers from surgery.

The schedule for the competitions starts with a mixed team event on Friday, followed by individual competitions over the weekend.