Ski jumping
“Unhappy”: Ski Association criticized for World Cup finals
Katharina Althaus, now Schmid, from Germany in action. photo
© Geir Olsen/ntb/dpa
The men fly from the largest facility, the women jump not even half as far a few hundred meters away: what the world association means well doesn’t go down so well with the female ski jumpers.
The World Ski Federation FIS has come under criticism for the procedures at the ski jumping finals in Planica. While the While the men had three competitions on the flying hill last weekend, Katharina Schmid and Co. only started once from the normal hill.
Former world-class jumper Martin Schmitt can also understand the jumpers’ displeasure. “I understand the dissatisfaction. The effect is of course not good. It is certainly unfortunate to have the women jump on the very small hill and the men on the very large jump,” Schmitt told the German Press Agency.
The women’s competition was a make-up competition for a canceled competition in Rasnov, Romania. “Of course the question is: Wouldn’t they have found a way to do it as ski flying?” said Schmitt.
Female ski jumpers have been fighting for equal rights for years. Since March 2023, women have also been allowed to take part in ski flying. However, Planica’s processes were not well received. World record holder Silje Opseth from Norway criticized: “We are actually being trampled on and are of no great value. The boys are allowed to ski fly and do the coolest thing in the world, and we are next to them on the smallest ski jump.” She decided not to start in Planica.