ANDREW URLAUB
Flying Eagles Ski Club
Eau Claire, WI
Lillehammer Norway, June 5th, 2022
On June 5th, 2022, Trevor Edlund and Anders Johnson picked me up from the Lillehammer train station. In current times, this would be a normal occurrence. We take the train from the airport in Oslo to the station in Lillehammer each week of the winter season. However, on that day, there was something special in the air. That day marked the “soft opening” of the United States and Norwegian partnership. A partnership that has and will continue to completely alter the sport of ski jumping in the United States.
At that time, there were still a lot of details regarding the partnership that needed to be ironed out. However, the athletes and coaches on both the United States and Norwegian side were excited to get started. I was able to get to know the Norwegian athletes and coaches. They are incredible people and were very enthusiastic to have us join their training camp. I was able to meet our new head coach, Tore Størlopa. After the first training session, I knew he would be a great fit for our team. I also had the opportunity to spend time in Lillehammer Norway, which is the current training base for both men’s and women’s ski jumping.
During the five-day training camp with the Norwegian team, we learned SO much. Anders Johnson had a great quote during that week. Anders said, “I feel like a kid at my first week of kindergarten. Every day I am learning new and exciting things.” We immediately knew this opportunity was going to be something special.
Currently, we are on year three of the U.S. and Norwegian partnership. This year has already been and will continue to be a very special year for ski jumping in the United States. As an athlete, I am very grateful to those behind the scenes that made this partnership possible. Ski jumping in the United States needed guidance and we had the best team in the world showing us how to excel in this sport.
One of our big goals is to inspire the next generation of amazing ski jumpers in United States. To all the young ski jumpers, I want you to know that any goal, distance, or even a yellow bib is achievable if you believe it. I believe it and you should too!
The entire team is prepared for this season, and we will continue to put the United States on the ski jumping map. We are ready to transcend this sport to new heights!
