US Ski Jumper Avoids Disaster After Leaf Blower Mishap at Olympics

Ben Loomis was struck by a leaf blower while attempting a jump, but managed to complete the jump without serious injury.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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United States ski jumper Ben Loomis narrowly avoided a potential disaster at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics when he was struck by a leaf blower while attempting a jump during the Nordic combined team sprint event. Loomis was able to complete the jump despite the unexpected obstacle, though he and his teammate Niklas Malacinski ultimately finished in seventh place. The incident prompted an apology from the competition director and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

Why it matters

Ski jumping is an inherently dangerous sport, and unexpected obstacles on the course can pose serious risks to the athletes' safety. This incident highlights the challenges Olympic organizers face in maintaining a safe and controlled environment for these high-stakes competitions.

The details

Loomis was going down the track to attempt his jump when he was struck by one of the leaf blowers positioned alongside the track to clear excess snow. Workers use the leaf blowers to ensure a clean jump and prevent the participants from being slowed down. Despite the unexpected obstacle, Loomis was able to complete a 116-meter jump.

  • On Thursday, February 19, 2026, during the Nordic combined team sprint event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The players

Ben Loomis

A United States ski jumper competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Niklas Malacinski

Loomis' teammate on the US Nordic combined team sprint event.

Lasse Ottesen

The competition director who apologized for the incident.

International Ski and Snowboard Federation

The governing body that also apologized for the incident.

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What they’re saying

“I've never experienced anything like this. Fortunately, it happened at the top, so I just tried to convince myself to make a good jump.”

— Ben Loomis (NRK)

“If it had hit me in the face, it would have been a completely different story.”

— Ben Loomis (NRK)

“It was good that nothing more happened, but it should not happen.”

— Lasse Ottesen, Competition Director (New York Post)

What’s next

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has stated that it will review safety protocols and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of ski jumping and the need for Olympic organizers to maintain the highest safety standards. While Loomis was able to avoid serious injury, the situation could have been much worse, underscoring the importance of constant vigilance and proactive risk mitigation in these high-stakes competitions.