Lake Placid – Prior to last February, it had been 33 years since Lake Placid in Upstate New York hosted the world’s best ski jumpers, and 18 years since the USA saw these high flyers in person anywhere in this country.
But that changed in February 2023 when our two-time Olympic village welcomed the return of men’s FIS World Cup ski jumping.
Not only did the Adirondacks welcome the ski jump community with open arms, but the hosts executed a wildly successful event that made it clear before the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) tour left town – we’ll be back. And sure enough, that is the case as it was recently announced that World Cup ski jumping will soar into Lake Placid Feb. 10-11, 2024.
As was the case last winter, this ski jumping meet will bring the very best athletes to the Olympic Jumping Complex, a venue that has been modernized and updated in recent years by New York State for international competition.
Although the field and the competition schedule are yet to be set, you can rest assured it will be of Olympic caliber, with medal winners of the recent past coming to fly high in the Hill Size 100 and Hill Size 128 competitions.
Beijing Olympic gold and silver medalist Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan is expected to be in action along with 2022 Olympic champion Marius Lindvik of Norway. Let’s not forget Poland, the darlings of last season’s event. Polish-American clubs from around the country discovered this venue and turned out by the thousands to support their athletes who did not disappoint by jumping to victory in the team event.
2023 World Cup highlights – https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/fis-ski-jumping-world-cup-results/#tab-event-recap
In recent years, New York State has invested $550 million in Lake Placid’s sports infrastructure. The Olympic Jumping Complex was among the first venues to be upgraded, and receiving this event was the result of that financial infusion. Now it will return to the anticipated large throngs who will create festive atmospheres both at the site and on Lake Placid’s Main Street.
The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, just 2.8 miles from the ski jump site, is poised to help welcome the ski jumping world.
In the long runup to February, we’ll have more information on this international event, including ticket prices and ancillary events that will round out the schedule.
(Cover image courtesy North Country Public Radio)