HistoryData
sports1928

Ski jumping at the 1928 Winter Olympics — 1928 edition of the ski jumping competitions during the Olympic Winter Games

January 1, 1928

Norway's Alf Andersen won the 1928 Olympic ski jumping event as Japan made its first appearance in international ski jumping competition.

Quick Facts

Year
1928
Category
sports

Key Facts

Competitors
38 from 13 nations
Date
18 February 1928
Venue
Olympiaschanze, 70-meter jump
Gold medalist
Alf Andersen (Norway)
Norwegian qualification wins
8 of 8 by Andersen
Asian first
Japan's debut in international ski jumping

By the Numbers

38
Competitors
18
Date
70
Venue
8
Norwegian qualification wins

Location

Map of St. Moritz, SwitzerlandMap of St. Moritz, SwitzerlandSt. Moritz, Switzerland

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Norway fielded a dominant team including reigning Olympic and world champion Jacob Tullin Thams, while Alf Andersen arrived having won all eight Norwegian qualification events. World record holder Nels Nelsen of Canada was barred from competing due to financial problems, narrowing the field of top contenders.

Event

Thirty-eight competitors from thirteen nations contested the men's ski jumping event on 18 February at the 70-meter Olympiaschanze in St. Moritz. A 40-minute dispute over in-run speed led the jury to increase it, causing several Central European favorites to fall. Andersen and Ruud strategically reduced their own speed and secured the top two places, with Czechoslovakia's Rudolf Burkert taking bronze.

Consequence

Norway claimed gold and silver, reinforcing its dominance in ski jumping. Japan's participation marked the first time an Asian nation had competed in an international ski jumping event, establishing a precedent for broader global involvement in the sport.

Result

Alf Andersen (NOR) - Gold; Sigmund Ruud (NOR) - Silver
vs
Rudolf Burkert (TCH) - Bronze

at Olympiaschanze, St. Moritz, Switzerland

Timeline Context

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