Initially ridiculed, this technique proved so successful that by 1992 all Olympic medallists were using this style. Then in 1985, Swedish jumper Jan Boklöv started spreading the tips of his skis into a “V” shape. In the mid-1950s, Swiss jumper Andreas Daescher became the first jumper to hold the arms backwards close to the body with a more extreme forward lean which superseded the Konsberger Technique. Thomas was the first person to win a Gold Medal in Olympic Ski Jumping in 1924. This involved jumping with the upper body bent at the hips, a wide forward lean, and with arms extended at the front with the skis parallel to each other. He and his wife immigrated to the United States, settling first in Minnesota and then moving to North Dakota.Īfter World War I, Norwegians Jacob Tullin Thams and Sigmund Ruud developed a new jumping style known as the Kongsberger Technique because it was created in Kongsberger, Norway. He also designed the Telemark ski, which is the prototype of all those now produced. In 1866 what has been described as the world’s first ski jumping competition with prizes, was held at Ofte, Høydalsmo, Norway. He made important innovations in skiing technology by designing new equipment, such as different bindings and shorter skis with curved sides to facilitate turns. Norwegian Sondre Norheim is widely considered the fathers of modern ski jumping. He was also a major-general in the Norwegian-Danish army and died in battle in 1849. Norwegian emigrants brought the sport to the United States in the late 1800s, and the first competition in the U.S. It can be traced to Ole Rye who jumped 9.5m (10.3 yards) in 1808. Norway can be proud to be the country of origin for ski jumping.

Agony of defeat ski jump