Nordic Combined Olympic Games Milano Cortina

Milano Cortina Winter Olympics: Watch the wild moment Team USA star Benjamin Loomis hit by rogue snow blower during ski jump in Nordic combined

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Team USA's Benjamin Loomis was seen shaking his head after he was hit by a rogue snow blower during his ski jump in Thursday's team sprint Nordic combined event. With the blowers out to remove fresh snow on the in-run, Loomis appeared to make contact with the equipment, which was being held over the track en route to completing his jump. Fortunately, he was not knocked off course.

Watch: Snow blower chaos as ski jumper HIT while descending hill

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was a moment of huge concern for Team USA Nordic combined star Benjamin Loomis as a rogue snow blower threatened to wreak havoc with his ski jump on Thursday.

Taking to the in-run with 108.5m to beat, Loomis began speeding down - but seemingly to the surprise of a member of staff who was tending to the course.

Loomis appeared to make contact with a snow blower which was still stretched across his path down the in-run - but he thankfully remained on course.

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"Did you see the blower?" Jernej Damjan remarked on TNT Sports' commentary. "That was really close. Did he hit it or did he move away?"

Alongside him in the commentary box, Guy McCrea added: "The way he's shaking his head, I think he did touch it!"

The heavy snowfall in Predazzo saw several staff members lined up alongside the in-run, using blowers to remove fresh snow, ice, and ensure consistent runs for all athletes.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The team sprint event began on Thursday morning with the ski jump trial round, followed by the competition round, and culminating with a cross-country element later.

It is competed in teams of two, and each team's starting position for the 2 x 7.5km relay is determined by their jumping scores.

Germany hold a lead of 9.5 points over second-placed Norway heading into the cross-country, while Japan are third after the jumping.

Loomis, representing Team USA alongside Niklas Malacinski is in seventh, 43 seconds behind the leaders.

The 27-year-old Loomis' story as he makes his third Olympic appearance at Milano Cortina is not a regular one.

Per Nordic Combined USA, Loomis grew up ski jumping and began competing at a young age but, in 2019, he joined the US Army, alongside Nordic combined team-mate, Jasper Good.

He is one of four Guard members competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

"Being an athlete and a soldier go hand in hand," Loomis said. "What I've learned in the military has helped my athletic career, and my athletic background has helped me as a soldier."

On his ambitions beyond his career in Winter Sports, he added: "I want to stay in [the Guard] after my athletic career, maybe even for a full career. My reasons for joining and my reasons for staying are completely different now."

Loomis won silver at the 2016 Youth Winter Olympics, which led to him being named the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Nordic combined athlete of the year - and is eyeing a maiden medal at the senior Games in Milano Cortina.

Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.

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