SPORT
A Paradise for Winter Sport Competitions.

Norwegians love winter sport and have been exporting sport to the world ever since the first skíð  (ski) – Old Norwegian for “stick of wood” – was first used here over 5,000 years ago. Then, thousands of years later in 1809, Olaf Rye made the first recorded ski jump in history in front of his astounded fellow soldiers.

Love of nature is part of being Norwegian, and competition is part of being human. Norway embraces both, and this combined with the country’s ability to successfully organize events has many World Championships on the agenda during in the next few years here, including:

 

FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011
The capital city of Oslo and a newly renovated Holmenkollen venue will be the host for this prestigious event – with over 300,000 spectators expected to attend the different events that range from ski jump competitions to Nordic Combined to the exciting cross-country events. For more information, see the official website for the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships to be held from February 23 to March 6th.

FIS Telemark World Championships 2011
Telemark skiing is another style of skiing where Norwegians can take credit, coming to prominence starting in 1868 when Sondre Mosheim’s used the “free-heeled” style in a ski-jump competition that began a dominance of style that lasted into the 1900´s. This style of skiing enjoyed resurgence in the 1970´s and now enjoys international popularity - and in 2011 the focus
will be on Rjukan, Norway from March 15 – 19 for the FIS Telemark World Championships 2010.

FIS Ski Flying World Championships 2012
Olaf Rye’s first ski jump of just under 10 meters laid the modest foundation for the current event of Sky Flying. With the world record of 239 meters – also held by a Norwegian – the art of the jump has progressed far during the last two centuries and will be on display at Vikersund in 2012. Now the world’s third largest, Vikersund will be the largest ski-flying hill in the world – and records will be broken the ski-flyers continue their magical flights on skis.  Vikersund will also be the site of a World Cup Ski Flying event in 2011.

FIS Freestyle World Championships 2013
Freestyle skiing is one type of skiing for which Norway cannot take credit, that honor goes to the Americans for this type of skiing that included moguls, skicross, halfpipe, aerials, ballet and more. The host town of Voss is in many ways the excellent choice for the prestigious 2013 event as it is the home to no less that 14 gold medalists in Olympic skiing. Voss is a recreational paradise winter and summer and will showcase the world’s best freestylers in style.

Norwegian Ski Federation
There is a national saying that “Norwegians are born with skis on their feet”, and the Norwegian Ski Federation (NSF) is the organization that has worked successful to bring theses World Championships to Norway. The NSF promotes the disciplines of alpine, cross-country, freestyle, Nordic combined and ski jumping in Norway and beyond.

For more information on the Norwegian Ski Federation go to the official website.