Norwegian freeskier Benjamin Forthun completed a 367-foot pond skim last week at Folgefonna, potentially breaking the world record for the longest land-to-water-back-to-land pond skim on skis.| Screenshot: Benjamin Forthun IG
Freeskier Benjamin Forthun may have set a world record pond skim at Norwegian summer-only ski resort Folgefonna, Norway. Last week, the Norwegian athlete managed to ski across the pond formed from the glacial melt at the famous summer ski resort in the Hardangerfjord, covering a distance of 112 meters (367 feet) from one end to the other.
Social media users were quick to point out that the record pond skim sits at 155 meters (509 feet) and was set at the famous Défi Foly challenge at La Clusaz, France. Forthun defended his accomplishment, stating that his feat was different as he reached the other end of the pond, while the 155-meter record saw the skier sink into the pond after the record distance. In addition, the skier at Défi Foly used a monoski, not skis, leaving Forthun’s record intact, in his opinion.
Fonna Glacier Ski Resort is located in Norway’s captivating Hardangerfjord region at an elevation of 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) on the Folgefonna Glacier. The resort offers three miles (5 kilometers) of slopes across four different runs, with a vertical drop of 820 feet (250 meters). Fonna is very popular for summer training for European snowsports athletes and offers facilities for alpine and freestyle teams. The resort offers alpine trails, a terrain park, and a moguls course. The resort had to close last season when its previous operator, Visit Fonna AS, filed for bankruptcy. However, local advocates formed Fonna Sport AS in partnership with the Hordaland Ski Association and the Agder and Rogaland Ski Associations.