Ski Jumping A-Z

A is for the Approach
The speed that the jumper gains during his approach to the take-off is important for how great a distance he will achieve. Just one more km/h can mean an extra meter of distance for the landing. On normal jump ramps, such as the one in Engelberg, the normal speed on the inrun reaches about 90 km/h. In ski flying, speeds of over 100 km/h are often attained.

B is for Backwind
Not something everyone knows about: the backwind is the unfavorable force that pushes the jumper down closer towards the run, often resulting in a performance of a shorter distance. Backwind is often a factor to be reckoned with on the Engelberg jumping hill, which is why trainers pay special attention to wind velocity readings. Top jumpers, however, normally know how to deal with this and achieve great distances despite this force.

F is for Flight Curve
Depending upon technique, muscle power and bodyweight, the flight curve of a ski jumper differs for each individual. The flight curve alone does not determine the ultimate distance a jumper will reach.

J is for Jury
The jury consists of the FIS-Director (a position held by Walter Hofer for the past several years), a technical delegate from the International Ski Committee (FIS) as well as the local competition director. Prior to the competition, these officials designate the ‚bar’ and the ‚jury distance’, which are influenced by the length and shape of the run. This determination is made by observing distances achieved in practice and/or trial runs made before the start of competition. All competitors must start from the same bar. The jury also makes decisions about postponing or even cancelling the competition with regard to weather conditions.

K is for the K-Point
Calculation of the K-point or ‚critical’ point of each jumping hill is critical for determining how many points are earned for distance. If the K-point is designated at 120 meters, then a jumper performing this distance gets 100 points. For each meter attained beyond that, a jumper earns an additional point—and conversely for each meter short of that 1 point is subtracted.

L is for Landing
Style points can be gained for a jump that combines a well-executed flight that fluently turns into and culminates in a perfect landing. That’s not an easy task when you’re trying to land at 90 km/h. The ski jumper must contend with forces that are three to four times greater than his own bodyweight. A landing is considered complete only at the point when the jumper touches down with his skis - at or beyond the line designated prior to the competition. Of course, his hands must not touch the ground in any attempt to support his landing.

M is for Mats
Since 1994, FIS has sponsored the Summer Grand-Prix of Ski Jumping - on mats. The inrun approach is a nobbed ceramic ramp using water to enable the downhill glide. The landing takes place on manmade Everslide-mats. Mat-ski jumping was originally developed in former East Germany in 1954 so that ski jumpers had optimal training conditions in summer so they could train for the winter events. In Switzerland the only jumping hill of this sort is in Kandersteg.

M is for Measuring the Distance
The distance of a jump is recorded and measured with digital cameras, the information then relayed and calculated by computer analysis. This system, which replaced manual measuring by distance judges, has made more precise measurement possible. Wige-Data/MIC is the German firm that is responsible for the technical equipment used in Engelberg for this purpose.

P is for Points
There are two rounds. The top and bottom scores awarded by the five judges are discarded, and the average of the three middle scores is added to the points awarded for the K-point landing. Points are earned for distance, and awarded for precise technique.

Q is for Qualification
50 jumpers are allowed to compete in the main competition. Those who rank as the Top 15 World Cup Jumpers do not have to take part in the qualifying round. The other 35 must qualify to bring the number of competitors to 50 - with one exception, however. An athlete who has achieved 90% of the qualifying distances but who has taken a fall will also be admitted to the field. So sometimes there will be 51 or more jumpers competing.

S is for the Start Signals
The start is divided into three phases, each one designated by a signal light similar to a traffic light. The red phase indicates that the jumper should prepare to get into position. When the light is yellow, the athlete must take his position on the bar. No fewer than 20 seconds later, the light switches to green, allowing the jumper merely an additional 5 seconds to start on the inrun.

S is for Style
Five judges from various countries award a maximum of 20 points each per jump for style and technique - judging take-off and, above all, the landing. Failing to achieve ‚telemark’ (see under ‚T’) upon landing can mean a penalty of 4 points. Flailing arms in flight can cost a jumper a half a point. A fall can mean a loss of up to 10 points.

T is for Take-off
The take-off influences the jumper’s chances of winning or not. An optimal take-off makes for an ultimately successful achievement of distance. Of course, technique, muscle power and perfect timing influence the outcome as well.

T is for Telemark
The Telemark landing (one foot in front of the other, the back leg bent at the knee) allows the jumper to stay in his/her flight position longer and earns added points for a graceful finish. The telemark was developed in the province of Telemark, Norway in 1883. It can happen that the winning jump may be achieved by the one with the most precise and graceful landing; so the winner may not necessarily be the jumper who achieved the greatest distance.

V is for the ‚V’
Around 1984, Swedish jumper Jan Bokloev began the practice of forming a ‚V’ with his skis while in flight. He won the World Cup with this controversial technique in 1989/1990. Swiss jumper Stefan Zünd perfected this technique and with it was able to join the ranks of the world’s elite jumpers. After Bokloev’s winning jump, the ‚V’ replaced the classic or traditional parallel positioning of the skis in air flight.