ANDERS JOHNSON
Sport Director, USA Ski Jumping
anders.johnson@usskiandsnowboard.org
33 Years, a Lifetime of Stories
It’s hard to believe that this is the fourteenth year of USA Ski Jumping’s Story Project, and for someone who has been part of this community for over thirty years, I have to admit this is the first time I’ve taken part and contributed with a story. Ski jumping has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember; it has shaped who I am from the moment I could walk. Maybe that’s why I haven’t contributed before. Picking just one memory, one story, has always felt impossible when the sport has given me a lifetime of them.
So instead of searching for a single moment from the past, I want to reflect on my journey in the sport today, specifically in my current role as Sport Director, and on the path we’ve taken as a team as we enter this exciting Olympic season. Because when I look back on the four years since Beijing 2022, it’s almost impossible to quantify just how far we’ve come.
Four years ago, our Ski Jumping program was standing at a crossroads. We were a team full of potential, constantly brushing up against a breakthrough but never quite breaking the ice. We needed to shake things up, challenge old patterns, and breathe new life into a program that deserved to thrive.
That opportunity came in the form of a historic partnership with Norway. Their involvement brought fresh energy, a new staff, and a bold new approach. Our mission was simple: equip our athletes with the tools they needed to realize their potential, build confidence, and finally take that long-awaited step forward.
And when I reflect on these past four years, the progress is undeniable. We’ve watched our athletes achieve results we had either never seen before or hadn’t seen in decades. We’ve celebrated personal bests across the board, podiums, Junior World Championship medals, and a renewed sense of belief in what’s possible. More importantly, we’ve built a culture of confidence, unity, and purpose—something anyone who spends even a day with this team can feel.
None of this has happened by accident. It truly takes a village, all rowing in the same direction, to create this kind of transformation. For that, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.
To our leadership: Rex Bell, Tom Bickner, Darryl Landstrom, Jim Holland, Alan Johnson, and the entire EC and BOD—thank you for believing in a new vision.
To our admin team: Eric Camerota and Cara Larson, thank you for managing the daily chaos with grace and humor.
To our coaching staff: Tore Sneli, Trevor Edlund, Espen Roee, Line Jahr, Anders Ladehaug, Karl Vegard Andersen, and Daniel Andre Tande. Thank you for embracing this project from day one and shaping the culture that defines us today.
And finally, to our athletes: none of this would exist without your drive, your trust, and your dedication. You are the reason we are here. You are why we love this sport. You are why we do what we do. THANK YOU!
As we turn toward this winter’s Olympics in Milan–Cortina, I can confidently say we will be bringing a group of athletes ready to fight, not only for results, but to elevate this sport in the United States. And we can only do that because of the community that stands behind us.
So my final thank-you goes to everyone who has contributed to the Story Project, not just this year but for the past 14 years. Fundraisers like this allow us to do what we love day in and day out. Your support, your belief, and your passion keep this program moving forward.
Thank you all, and let’s go Team USA!
You can also Venmo this year! To donate, find us at @usaskijumping
Or send a check to:
USA Ski Jumping
PO Box 982331
Park City, UT 84098
