Earlier this month, the Ski Jumping World Cup made its 3rd annual stop in Lake Placid, New York. The World Cup is the highest level of competition in the sport, and Husky Ski Jumpers had the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the best in the world.
Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper credentials. Photo provided.
Four Northwood Jumpers were selected to be used as forerunners for the event. In Ski Jumping, a forerunner is a jumper that is not part of the competition whose job is to be a test jumper. Forerunners go before each round to test out the hill and help the jury determine the appropriate starting gate for the competitors. Forerunners are also used during any breaks in competition, after a hold for unsafe conditions, after crashes or any other delays. The four Northwood Jumpers selected were Eli Larkin ‘27, Henry Loher ‘26, Mitchell Penning ‘25, and Jack Kroll ‘25. They made up part of a twenty-member squad of forerunners which included several Europeans brought in for the event. The Huskies were able to outqualify several of the European forerunners, earning spots on the elite squad forerunning the men’s events.
Jack Kroll ‘25 forerunner/forejumper bib. Photo provided.
One of the unique benefits of forerunning is the chance to spend time with the competitors. On the first day, Henry Loher ‘26 was approached by Norwegian Ski Jumper and two-time World Cup overall winner Halvor Egner Granerud. Granerud asked Henry if he was “the tank” referring to his Instagram username “HanktheTank.” Granerud had seen a earlier post of Henry getting the hill record in Lake Placid and had followed him. Henry was “wondering if he would say anything to him this weekend.” Henry said he was “the tank” and had a short conversation with Granerud before his qualification jump.
To further the Granerud story, all of his bags did not show up in Lake Placid and he missed his flight. He arrived with just ten minutes to spare before qualification with no equipment. Luckily, the Ski Jumping community rallied and provided him with everything he needed. NYSEF (New York Ski Education Foundation” provided him with a helmet.
The signed helmet NYSEF let Granerud borrow. Photo Provided.
Later, Granerud shouted out his newfound friend Henry Loher on Instagram following the weekend. He posted a selfie of the two of them and then said, “Also, met the full send legend @henry_loher go check him out if you want to watch some far jumps.” Henry says he, “was shocked,” and has, “gained a ton of followers,” as a result. As former American Ski Jumper Nina Lussi pointed out in the comments this was Henry’s “welcome to the big leagues.”
Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram post featuring Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.
Halvor Egner Graneruds Instagram caption about Henry Loher ’26. Photo from @halvorgranerud on Instagram.
Additionally, the team had the chance to meet Daniel Tschofenig, an Austrian Ski Jumper and current World Cup overall leader. They were able to secure his “golden bib” which signifies he is the overall leader to keep in their jumproom.
From left to right Daniel Tschofenig, Henry Loher ’26, and Eli Larkin ’27. Photo provided.
