Ski jumping

Ski jumping is a winter sport in which skiers go down a hill with a take-off ramp (the jump), attempting to go as far as possible. In addition to the length, referees give points for style, on a scale from 1 to 20. The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long, with parallel sides.

Popularity

Ski jumping is popular among spectators and TV audiences in Scandinavia and Central Europe. Almost all world-class ski jumpers come from those regions or from Japan. Traditionally, the strongest countries (with consistently strong teams) are Finland, Norway, Germany (formerly both East and West), and Austria. However, there always have been successful ski jumpers from other countries as well (see list below). The Four Hills Tournament, held annually at four sites in Bavaria and Austria around New Year, is very popular and draws huge crowds.

Related Topics:
Scandinavia - Central Europe - Japan - Finland - Norway - Germany - Austria - Four Hills Tournament - Bavaria

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There have been attempts to spread the popularity of the sport by finding ways by which the construction and upkeep of practising and competition venues can

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be made easier. These include plastic "fake snow" to provide a slippery surface even during the summer time and in locations where snow is a rare occurrence, and the Ski jumping sling invented by Spede Pasanen which allows construction of an inexpensive and unobtrusive jumping tower.

Related Topics:
Snow - Ski jumping sling - Spede Pasanen

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