FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 will be in Oslo, Norway at Holmenkollen Ski Jump – the fifth time these championships have been hosted in Oslo (prev.: in 1930, the 1952 Winter Olympics, 1966, and 1982). The games will coincide with the Holmenkollen Ski Festival which for 2010 took place last weekend. I was there with my wife, DianeCA and we gladly take you along:
Holmenkollen Ski Jump is the oldest in the world, built in 1892 and expanded 18 times since then. Recently the jump was demolished and totally rebuilt for the OSL2011 (taking place 22 February – 6 March, 2011), having a less steep in-run, artificial refrigeration of the in-run, a reconstructed lower part of the jump to the end of the outrun, lights for evening jumps, a new elevator for the jumpers, and wind protection measures for the jumpers. These modifications included new spectator grand stands, an improved loudspeaker system, and a new scoreboard – even free WiFi, so I uploaded a couple of pics that day from my mobile phone to my Flickr account!
Holmenkollen Ski Festival:
Foremost this is a Folk Festival. At the Olympics in 1952 there were 120 000 spectators – last weekend it was 25 000 and at OSL2011 there will for sure be more than the double that. Norwegians love to be outdoors in the winter time you know and with the right clothes and equipment, they have a blast of a party together with foreign spectators – cheering the ski jumpers and making a magical winter sport atmosphere (click all pics to bigify & enjoy):
Spectators enjoying the nature as well as the sun, the company and competition :-)
A cultural high point:
Holmenkollen Ski Jump is just a 25 minute spectacular ride by public transportations from down town up in the Oslo Mountains (417 metres above sea level). You don’t use a car, as building up the atmosphere in anticipation, starts with the trolley or bus ride in itself. Besides for such a special day the roads are closed to all but public transportation to hinder traffic problems. The last hundred meters from the end stop to the ski jump, spectators were welcomed with an artistic presentation of mythical folklore:
Some cultural adventures along the way :-)
The Ski Jump competition:
Of course I have not forgotten the sport in this brand new ski jump with a spectacular construction. In a competition, almost 200 architecture firms from about 30 different countries have placed bids on the new hill. The project was estimated to cost NOK 1000 mill (125 Mill € or 170 Mill $) and the winner with the concept named “The New Holmenkollen Lighthouse” was JDS Architects (Danish/Belgian architects firm). I took quite a lot of photos from the competition trying to show you the construction and the jumpers (hope you can spot them) from full zoom to full view:
Enjoy the architecture and the ski jump!
Explore yourself at the Oslo Blog Gathering:
Holmenkollen Ski Jump is the most visited tourist attraction in Norway with about 1 Mill visitors in August last year. The construction is impressive all year round (click to see it all from my summer post: Holmenkollen a cultural high point! Beside the jump at the top of the hill is the national ski museum (admission is free with the OsloPass). Holmenkollen is included on the Oslo Bus tour. So if you are joining us for the Oslo Blog Gathering you can start looking forward to this already as you will see it from all angles, and from the bottom to the top! So hop on board (click for the Official Program site!!!
The first picture is extremely impressing. The crowd and that crazy slope… wow!
Love the face painting :-) The Norwegian flag is beautiful. Not sure what’s the history behind it… if you ever feel like explaining, I’d love to know more about it!
Your little kids grow up on skies. No wonder your guys dominate winter sports. Not many ski jumpers from Oklahoma.
Hei Renny I was there as well, really impressive, these guys are crazy! Amazing day!
Wow very impressive…the area looks so cool. Looks like a great day and very festive. I wish I saw that when I was there last.
Did I ever mention that Jack ski jumped in college? In fact his coach for the ski team made all the men jump, ski, and race. He called them “Nordic Men!”
Fantastic activities and the architecture is incredible too!! We don’t a festival so different as in Norway! That’s a magical ice competition and I enjoyed about your photos very much!!
Spectacular Renny!!! I loev the colours and shade :D
Yas Great Rush there,….
From Where this seen has been taken…
For me it was inpresionante go see the Holmenkollen. In Ibiza we have beaches and more beaches, so for us it was expectacular. I remember the simulator.
My son took his first steps there, never forget my visit there.
Thanks for your mail Renny.
Kiss an hugs for you an Diane
Amazing photos! That must be a spectacular and much awaited event.
Wow! That’s quite a ski jump!
Wonderful pictures, Renny. The new ski jumps looks amazing! I look forward to seeing it soon. The big hotel up there is one of my favorite places to stay in Oslo.
Thank you for the photos you sent to the Holmenkollen pool in Flickr. What a wonderful sunny day it was! I was only present at the ski jumping practice on Friday. Minus the great crowds but there were still enough people to provide an atmosphere.
such a great place to visit…thanks for sharing Renny. I miss your blog!
“Nice blog. I have found that there is lots of free wifi hotstops throughout Oslo, Norway.
Check it :-
http://freewifiwiki.net/index.php?title=Norway.