Milan-Cortina 2026, Norwegian athletes robbed of equipment in Willingen

Frankfurt (Germany), 2 February (LaPresse) – The Norwegian national ski jumping team was robbed during the World Cup stage in Willingen, Germany, a preparatory stage ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Unknown individuals stole part of the team’s equipment during the night between Saturday and Sunday, as confirmed by a Korbach police spokesperson to the dpa agency. According to initial information, the thieves broke into the team’s equipment storage room, taking away ski jumping helmets and other equipment. The amount of damage has not yet been quantified, as it is not clear exactly what was stolen. Investigations are ongoing. The incident was previously reported by the Norwegian national team’s sports director, Jan-Erik Aalbu, in an interview with the Dagbladet newspaper. “A lot of equipment is missing. They didn’t take skis and boots, but helmets, jackets, hats, gloves and goggles were stolen,” he said. According to Aalbu, the stolen equipment also includes the helmets of Johann André Forfang and Halvor Egner Granerud, as shown in some video footage. However, the quality of the images is too low to identify those responsible. Ahead of Sunday’s competition, considered a dress rehearsal for the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina (6-22 February), the Norwegian team had to improvise, resorting to borrowing equipment available on site. The Norwegian jumpers were already in the spotlight last season due to the suit manipulation scandal, which led to the disqualification of several managers for 18 months. On 9 February, on the normal hill in Predazzo, the athletes will compete for the first Olympic medals in ski jumping.