All eyes on Åsne for Ski-VM
February 23, 2011
With hundreds of thousands of spectators descending on Oslo over the next two weeks for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 (known as ‘Ski-VM’ in Norwegian), all eyes will be on the capital – and Ski-VM CEO Åsne Havnelid, the woman responsible for ensuring that it all goes smoothly. While Havnelid can hardly be [...]
Ski-VM 2011 finally underway
February 23, 2011
Neither snow nor sleet nor a sudden (and fortunately short) breakdown of Oslo’s public transit metro line would ruin the start of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (Ski-VM) in the Norwegian capital. The royal family was among those set to be out in force at opening ceremonies Wednesday evening. King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown [...]
Ski jumping coach in court
February 22, 2011
The coach of the Norwegian men’s ski jumping team reportedly has a heavy foot on the gas pedal when driving. He’s had numerous fines for speeding back home in Finland and now faces charges he lied about his income. Just days before he’s supposed to lead his ski jumpers in the World Championships in Oslo, [...]
Ski-VM to profit despite unsold seats
February 22, 2011
There were still 75,000 tickets available this week to the Nordic World Ski Championships (Ski-VM 2011) that starts in Oslo on Wednesday, and only one event is sold out. Organizers claim they’ll still log a profit on the event that will help keep new facilities at Holmenkollen alive long after the next 12 days of [...]
Debate continues over Ski-VM 2011
February 20, 2011
As Oslo warms up for this week’s opening of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (Ski-VM 2011), criticism and conflicts over the event are giving way to unabashed boosterism. Debate continues, however, over the massive investment in the 12-day skiing competition, most of it arguably at taxpayer expense. The actual burden on Oslo taxpayers has [...]
Oslo all abuzz before Ski-VM
February 20, 2011
Construction workers and craftsmen have been in full swing along Oslo’s main boulevard through downtown, Karl Johans Gate, to prepare for Wednesday’s opening of the FIS World Ski Championships (Ski-VM 2011). Saws are buzzing as artists create ice sculptures, stages and outdoor screens have been set up, and refreshment stands are in place. It’s clear [...]
Jumpers fly off world’s biggest
February 11, 2011
NEW WORLD RECORDS: Norway can now boast the world’s biggest ski jump, and it’s NOT Holmenkollen, which is getting the most attention these days. The newly expanded jump at Vikersund, an hour’s drive west of Oslo, opened this week and already has registered its first world records. First jumped Johan Remen Evensen of Molde 243 [...]
Sparks fly over ski jumpers’ sponsor
September 14, 2010
The Norwegian women’s national ski jumping team is catching flak even before the winter season gets underway. Sports bureaucrats have approved its sponsorship by a local arms manufacturer, and critics claim the deal defies Norway’s image as a champion of peace. Debate has raged over the deal since it emerged last week, and groups from [...]
Ski jumpers fly onto winners’ podium
March 21, 2010
Anders Jacobsen, one of Norway’s most popular ski jumpers, secured a bronze medal in the World Championships in ski flying on Saturday. On Sunday, the Norwegian team claimed a silver in team competition. Jacobsen, who got big hugs from his proud parents on hand for the event in Planica, Slovenia, made one jump of 230.5 [...]
Ski flying gets a boost
March 19, 2010
Norway’s only major ski jump suitable for ski flying won state funding for expansion this week, just as the country’s top ski jumper was doing some flying of his own. Bjørn Einar Romøren soared through the air at the Flying Hill individual World Cup in Planica, Slovenia on Thursday (photo), landing at an impressive 230.5 [...]
Sun shone on Holmenkollen
March 14, 2010
Oslo officials could hardly have hoped for a better grand opening weekend for the new Holmenkollen winter sports complex. The sun came out, crowds turned up, early controversies seemed forgotten and Norwegian athletes grabbed more glory, at least on Saturday. Norway’s royal family was out in full force for the action on Sunday, when the [...]
Holmenkollen Day 2010
March 14, 2010
PICTURE SERIES: Sunshine and thousands of spectators turned out for the first “Holmenkollen Day” in Norway’s new ski jumping arena. It was an historic event for Oslo, and it attracted locals and visitors alike, from all over the world. See some of them in this picture series. Click on the image to move forward. Hover your [...]
Holmenkollen ready for action
March 12, 2010
After years of planning, arguing, celebrations and budget scandals, the new Holmenkollen Ski Jump was set to receive thousands of sports fans and athletes over the weekend. Even the weather seemed ready to cooperate, and the royals would be out in force. The action was kicking off Saturday with Nordic skiing competition that included a [...]
Taking the shine off Holmenkollen
March 5, 2010
NEWS COMMENTARY: The emotional outpouring over a skier’s misguided jump this week has amounted to one of those “only in Norway” sorts of stories. It says a lot about priorities in this small but often passionate country, for better or worse. There aren’t many other places in the world where a skier’s jump would dominate [...]
Debate flies over ban on ski jumper
March 5, 2010
One of Norway’s top ski jumpers has been banned from competing in two World Cup events this weekend, after he spoiled the ceremonial opening of Oslo’s new Holmenkollen Ski Jump. Debate is flying, though, over whether his punishment is too harsh. Bjørn Einar Romøren (shown at right in recent action at the Winter Olympics) made a [...]
