– Work for Japan? What do I think about it? That was Stian André Skinnes’ first reaction to the question from the Japanese Ski Association. – I thought it was completely impossible to decide. Stian André Skinnes follows the Japanese show jumping team throughout the season. Photo: Eirik Koren / news Nevertheless, he packed his bag full of jump suits and fabric, took the plunge and got on the plane to meet the Japanese national team, which was in France in the summer of 2017. From wharfing to Olympic bids In France, he spent the night and sewed three test suits. These impressed the national team management so much that they invited him to Tokyo. – I went from not having any plans, to being told that they wanted to bet on me for the Olympics, says Skinnes, and adds: – Actually, I was going to ski a bit and work as a dock worker at the port in Drammen.. Naoki Nakamura (from left) Ryoyu Kobayashi, Stian André Skinnes and coach Janne Väätäinen in Drammen. Photo: Eirik Koren / news Suddenly he was an indispensable part of one of the best show jumping teams in the world. – He is fantastic On the Japanese national team is the Olympic champion from 2022, Ryoyu Kobayashi. One of the biggest winter sports stars in Japan. – Stian is simply fantastic, notes Kobayashi. Sara Takanashi has Olympic and World Cup medals, and over 100 podium places in the World Cup. She is a phenomenon in show jumping. Sara Takanashi won bronze in the 2018 Olympics. Photo: Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP – He is a magician. I am so happy to train with him, because he is a good person with many good ideas, says Takanashi. Bought a sewing machine with a student discount Stian André Skinnes is a former ski jumper. In the years before he became part of the Japanese show jumping team, he bid at Lillehammer. He got interested in making jumping suits at the kitchen table at home with a friend, who worked on this for the Norwegian combined runners. – Underneath that clipboard were some scraps and fabric. He started by making his own jumping suits. Photo: Eirik Koren / news He got an idea to use the clippings to adapt his own jumping suit. But first he had to learn to sew. He then had to get a sewing machine that was powerful enough for the fabric in the jumping suits. – I found out that it was possible to buy a sewing machine with a student discount. So then I called the people who sold these, says Skinnes. The club house in Drammen became the middle belt during training. Photo: Eirik koren / news The suits don’t fit With scissors and a sewing machine, he made his own jumping suit. For several years, he had been annoyed by the suits worn by the second best show jumpers. They only had standardized measurements and were not personally adapted, like the suits for the elite jumpers. Gradually, he was asked to sew and adapt the suits for other Norwegian ski jumpers, who also wanted a better fit. One thing led to another. The jumping environment is no bigger than the fact that the reputation of Skinnes’ tailoring skills reached the Norwegian Ski Association. When Japan suddenly needed a ski jumping suit tailor, they were tipped off about Stian André Skinnes by the Skiing Association. Even with the fact that one summer day in 2017 he received a phone call from the Japanese national showjumping team. Coach: “Absolutely decisive” At the top level, a jump suit is not just a jump suit. Ski jumping is a sport with tiny margins. – Knowledge of this is decisive, says Janne Väätäinen, trainer for Kobayashi and Takanashi’s team. Therefore, it is impossible to get top positions with a bad suit. Seams, design of the suit, fabric and fit are of enormous importance. – There is no education. Those who do this are really special enthusiasts, says Janne Väätäinen. – Are you a nerd – Would you call yourself a nerd, in a positive sense? – I would say that I have become a nerd, yes, says Skinnes. In Gjerpenkollen in Drammen. Photo: Eirik Koren / news He lives with his family at Konnerud in Drammen. The plan is to remain in the job as assistant trainer for the Japanese jumpers, with responsibility for the dressage, for quite a while longer. The contract extends to the next Olympics in 2026. He has already experienced two Olympics for Japan, with gold and medals. – During the season, I only think about delivering, so that the mares are satisfied. But after the winter, when I look back, it is unreal to think about what I have actually been a part of.
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Stian from Drammen sews the showjumping suit for Takanashi, Kobayashi and the Japanese national showjumping team – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
