American ski star Ben Loomis smashes through misplaced leaf blower while racing down the 120-meter Nordic combined slope in Milan-Cortina

Team USA’s Nordic combined star, Ben Loomis, faced a heart-stopping moment at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina when he narrowly avoided a potentially serious accident during the ski jump portion of the Nordic Combined Team Sprint.

In a bizarre twist, a staff member accidentally left a leaf blower on the course, putting Loomis directly in its path as he hurtled down the slope at breakneck speed.

The shocking moment was captured on video and broadcast worldwide.

Loomis, flying down the 120-meter jump in challenging blizzard conditions, appeared almost unfazed when he collided with the misplaced equipment.

Despite the unexpected obstacle, he maintained his speed of 96.3 km/h and completed a jump measuring 116 meters.

Blizzard Conditions and a Rare Safety Mishap

Due to heavy snowfall during the competition, staff were using leaf blowers to clear the settled snow between jumps.

While most equipment was safely removed before competitors descended, one blower remained in the path of Loomis.

The collision struck his shoulder, leaving a visible mark on his suit, but thankfully caused no serious injury.

Commentators on the live broadcast were visibly stunned.

SVT’s Peter Jonsson exclaimed, “Geez, it could have ended in horror,” reflecting the tension of the moment and how close Loomis came to disaster.

Loomis’ Response After the Incident

After completing the jump, Loomis told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the incident was unlike anything he had experienced before.

“Fortunately, it happened at the top, so I just tried to convince myself to make a good jump,” he said.

“It didn’t hurt, but it left a mark on my suit. If it had hit my face, it would have been a completely different story.”

Despite the mishap, Loomis chose not to retake his jump, and the U.S. team decided not to appeal to the judges.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and event officials formally apologized for the incident.

“It is very regrettable that we had an incident with Loomis,” competition director Lasse Ottesen said.

“It was good that nothing more happened, but it should not happen.”

Team USA’s Performance in Nordic Combined

Loomis and teammate Niclas Malacinski were competing in the Nordic Combined Team Sprint, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

Loomis had achieved a 123.5-meter jump in the trial run, ranking 10th, but the collision reduced his competition jump to 116 meters.

Combined with Malacinski’s 120-meter effort, the U.S. finished seventh in the ski jump portion.

The pair maintained that position after the cross-country segment, ending 2 minutes and 24 seconds behind gold medalists Norway.

Finland secured silver, while Austria claimed bronze.

Earlier in the Games, Loomis also competed individually in the Gundersen Large Hill event, finishing 27th.

What’s Next?

Team USA will be reviewing safety protocols to ensure such incidents never happen again.

Loomis’ narrow escape is likely to spark renewed focus on course management and equipment handling during Olympic ski events.

Meanwhile, the American star is expected to continue competing in Nordic combined, using the experience to sharpen his focus for future competitions.

Summary

Ben Loomis survived a frightening leaf blower collision during the Nordic Combined Team Sprint at the 2026 Winter Olympics, completing his jump despite the bizarre obstacle.

While the U.S. team finished seventh overall, officials issued formal apologies and promised stricter safety measures.

Loomis’ calm under pressure highlighted his experience and professionalism, leaving fans around the world relieved and amazed at his composure.