Norway's Ski Jumping Team Faces Financial Crisis as New Season Approaches

Norway, which has long been considered a powerhouse in ski jumping, is now facing alarming financial challenges just as the new Ski Jumping World Cup season approaches. As the first events are set to kick off at the end of November, the Norwegian Ski Federation has been compelled to implement drastic budget cuts that have direct consequences for their athletes' preparations.

The situation has prevented the team from affording luxury accommodations and travel arrangements. Instead of flying, the athletes and technical staff are now traveling by car, and even their meals have been downgraded from sushi to less expensive options like porridge and sandwiches.

The new Norwegian national team coach, Magnus Brevig, commented on the severity of the situation, emphasizing the need to optimize spending to save for essential items like uniforms, highlighting that for those in a financial crunch, every penny counts. It was reported that, during a recent training camp in Lillehammer, expenditures were reduced from seven thousand to just two thousand euros due to these measures.

Halvor Egner Granerud, one of Norway's top ski jumpers, confirmed that the comfort level of the team's operations has significantly worsened, aligning with the financial struggles that have led to a lack of sponsorship and a budget for the 2024/2025 season that is nearly nonexistent, with debts reaching approximately 650,000 euros.

This dramatic shift stands as a stark warning to Norway's ski jumping legacy as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.