Winter Olympics star hit by leaf blower during ski jump but avoids disaster | Other | Sport
A catastrophic injury was narrowly avoided at the Winter Olympics when combined skier Ben Loomis was struck by track equipment whilst accelerating down a 370-foot ski jump ramp.
Loomis competed in the men’s Olympic Nordic combined team sprint at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, where officials deployed leaf blowers to clear snow from the in-run hill to ensure consistent speeds and a safe surface. As the 27-year-old pushed off from the start bar and built up speed, one of the blowers was not removed in time. It struck the Team USA star on the shoulder as he descended almost immediately into his run.
An operator lifted the leaf blower’s chute just in time to prevent a complete disaster.
Loomis remained upright and was barely knocked off balance before he swiftly re-stabilised himself ahead of completing the jump.
He soared 116 metres through the air and his official data revealed that he was travelling at nearly 60 miles per hour.
Reports from the venue indicated that the Team USA suit worn by Loomis was scuffed from the collision, but he avoided anything more serious than that.
Loomis was offered the opportunity to re-jump before concluding his snow attempts, but he refused.
“When I let go of the boom, I wondered if he would move,” he said afterwards.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
“It didn’t hurt, but it left a mark on the suit. He later acknowledged that the situation could have unfolded differently.
“Luckily, it only hit my shoulder. If it had hit me in the face, it would have been a completely different story.”
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) also recognised the mistake and issued an apology after the worker concerned admitted his error to event officials.
Loomis failed to secure a medal, placing seventh in the team event, 27th in the 10 km Individual Gundersen Large Hill, and 17th in the 10 km Individual Gundersen Normal Hill event.
Since early 2025, his performances have largely fallen within the 20th to 40th range on the World Cup circuit.
Loomis finished 49th and 50th in Ramsau, Austria, at last December’s World Cups, and recorded finishes beyond the top 30 in Oberhof, Germany, Trondheim, Norway, and Estonia.
