For as long as I can remember, show jumping has been a common thread in my life. Ever since my father took me to Vikkollen in Mjøndalen, in the early 70s, I have been fascinated by the excitement it has given me. My life with this sport has given me so many experiences, lessons, joys and, not least, networks and friends across national borders and other barriers. I think that I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to experience the most as a player, coach, union representative and leader. As a performer, I experienced both the trembling excitement of pushing myself to the limit of what I actually dared – and not least, the ecstatic joy of mastering, succeeding and winning. As a manager, I have been so privileged that I have been able to contribute to the fact that many other small and large athletes have had the same experience as me. When Steinar Johannessen, together with the then jumping committee, asked me in 2004 to become sports director of the Jumping National Team, Steinar thought I should lie a little about my age since he thought I was in the youngest team. Steinar knew my strengths and weaknesses well since he and I already had an almost 20-year relationship. But I experienced it as an enormous vote of confidence to be given the opportunity to contribute. With a youthful enthusiasm – and perhaps a bit of overconfidence, I thought that I would probably be able to accomplish everything I wanted during the 4 years the contract lasted – little did I know then that I would be a central part of this wonderful sport for 20 years – and getting to experience the performances of Norwegian and international ski jumpers up close – It has taken my breath away at times. A long life in show jumping has given me the opportunity to meet and get to know everything from legends such as Birger Ruud, Helmuth Recknagel, Bjørn Wirkola and Matti Nykänen to many of the greatest athletes of our time such as Kamil Stoch, Gregor Schlierenzauer, Sara Takanashi, Marius Lindvik , Halvor Egner Granerud and Maren Lundby – to name a few. In addition, I have met personalities such as Nicky Lauda, Muhammed Ali, Diego Maradona, Chuck Norris and not least King Olav, King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon. But what has most of all burned into my heart is being able to work side by side with the many passionate souls who have dedicated their lives to the sport of show jumping. Good examples of these everyday heroes are Tor Håkon Standnes, Jan Skevik, Atle Nordvik, Trond Bysveen, Aasmund Sprauten, Magne Sørestrand and perhaps the one I have had the closest relationship with, in addition to my father, Trygve Bringsverd. I have been so privileged to be close to so many people who have succeeded in breaking their boundaries. It has given me many indescribable moments. I got to see Thea Kleven aged 5 in Gjerpenkollen – and I got to see a 23-year-old Bjørn Einar Romøren set a world record in Planica. Many a time it has happened that the tears have come, and almost always the thoughts go back to my father who, if possible, found even greater joy in this sport. I cannot emphasize enough the gratitude I feel towards my parents – who made it possible for me to devote my childhood and teenage years to ski jumping. And in the jumping environment to which I have always been strongly attached, I had the opportunity to meet people for whom I not only have great respect, but who have also shaped me as a person. Svein IversenOdd GretteSteinar JohannessenSigmund KornOle BremsethGeir ØdegårdSverre MeløeOle Gunnar FidjestølLudvik ZajcJon Inge KjørumOle Terje LetmolieBente-Lill RomørenWalter HoferBjørn Einar, Alex, Magnus, Christian, Jermund, Henning, Adrian, Kenneth, Thomas, Silje, Bine, Tore, Arne, Mats, Line, Ståle , Tore, Anders, Espen, Mika, Morten, Kjetil, Rune, Andreas, Lars, Stine and all those I have worked with in Hopp-Norge. These 20 years have offered a lot of joy, but also many challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wife Hege and our four young children. And all our close friends – you know who you are – thank you for being there for us. It is beyond any doubt that my work has affected family life. For me, being a “jump manager” has not just been a job – it has become a way of life – almost a vocation. Fortunately, the love of ski jumping runs deep in our family – especially with my wife and my eldest daughter. Throughout these 20 years, they have become involved in the environment, and the attachment has become so strong emotionally that it has become a part of us. They have been close through both the ups and downs. Quitting the job as sports manager has never been a topic at our house, no matter how tough it has been. But late this autumn, my family said that “unfortunately, it’s no longer possible”. They missed the old version of me. He who saw opportunities, not problems. A large part of my time has been devoted to fighting for the future of jumping and its place in the Ski Association’s organisation. As for our future, I am proud to have contributed to the fact that our beloved sport of jumping has managed to develop from being about traditions, wooden skis and top hats to now being associated with spectacular gliding races for men and women. It is about the “green line in the ground”, RAW AIR and dramaturgy, which we have been lucky enough to have Jo Nesbø contribute greatly to the development. There is one person I would like to single out and thank in connection with the fact that in 2004 we developed the vision and values of Norwegian Jumping, to work towards becoming the World’s Most Important Jumping Nation, someone who also gave me wise advice when the storm was at its worst – Njål Berge . Internationally, our sport is stronger than ever. We have an international media attention that few sports have – and this year’s ski jumping week shows with all possible clarity that we can still invite people to a folk festival on the slopes around the world. There are already reports of sold-out arenas in several destinations for the rest of the season. The great and broad international popularity of the sport of jumping means that we at Norsk Hoppsport – through the biggest source of income for top sport: TV income – contribute a very large part of the value creation to the Norwegian Skiing Association. But unfortunately, I have seen over many years that our share of this value creation is not returned to our athletes. While our sport is being strengthened internationally, it can look as if we in little Norway are unable to keep up. Our small, but extremely dedicated group around the Jumping Team has, over many years, gotten a lot out of the funds we have been allocated. And I am proud to have helped build a culture where not only individuals have brought honor and glory on behalf of Norway, but where we have done it together as a team. However, I am afraid that that time has now passed. The economic model that the Norwegian Skiing Association doubts – not only means that our athletes are “robbed” of the values they create – but they are also “robbed” of the opportunity to keep up in a tough international competition. I have also made this completely clear to the current management, both verbally and in writing. I have tried everything I can, from meetings and letters to conversations and confrontations with the top management of the Norwegian Ski Association. But the fact remains. I feel that I have spoken to deaf ears. I have no more tools to use and no more stones to turn. It makes me think that perhaps it is the case that now – after 20 years – I stand in the way of the Norwegian Skiing Association giving the sport of jumping the much-needed resources it deserves and needs. I am unfortunately afraid that key people in the Norwegian Skiing Association will feel it as a personal defeat to add a larger share of the money we actually bring in, as long as I am in charge of Norwegian Jumping. These are the reasons why I now, with a heavy heart, announce to you that my time in the Ski Association, after this season, is over. Enough is enough. I know that I am leaving a Hopp-Norway that stands together – so I can only hope that the Norwegian Ski Association thinks that what we stand for and fight for is worth preserving in the future as well. My love for our beautiful sport will forever be as great and strong. It is inherited and has become part of my DNA. With respect and humility – but this time completely without joy – after ski flying in Planica March 2024, I resign from the Norwegian Ski Association.
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Clas Brede Bråthen has resigned as jump manager – news Buskerud – Local news, TV and radio
