Spring meeting in Portorož

May 11, 2024·Ski Jumping

The season final in Planica means the end of the season for the ski jumpers, but not the end of the work, as the review of the past winter and the planning of the upcoming competitions begin immediately after the final.

The meetings of the Ski Jumping Sub-Committees in Prague (CZE) in mid-April and now of the Ski Jumping Committee in Portorož (SLO) have set the course for the future of ski jumping.

Under the confident leadership of Chairman Mika Kojonkoski (FIN), the calendars for the 2024/2025 season were approved and various changes and rule adjustments were defined and formulated.

Calendars

The calendars already presented in Prague were confirmed, there are two changes to the Grand Prix calendar:

Almaty (KAZ) has to withdraw its application to host the event in summer 2024 in view of the devastating flood disaster in Kazakhstan. Repairing the flood damage in the country has priority.
Frenstat (CZE) will not be able to organise the Women's Grund Prix this summer due to technical problems.

The calendars for summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025

Innovations in the equipment

Chips in every jumpsuit

Following the successful introduction of the 3D scanner for body measurement last winter, the next step towards the future is now being taken: chips in the jumping suit.

Each suit used in the competition is marked with several chips. Each part is given a chip with its own ID so that all parts of the suit can be identified.
This new technology will initially be tested during the Grand Prix in summer 2024 and will then also be used in winter.

With the introduction of the chips, the number of suits per athlete will also be reduced.

2 suits per athlete per event, 1 suit per competition, 1 suit per qualification

“This step is another piece in the direction of having a discipline moving towards an high fair sport. We strongly believe in the opportunity for ski jumping to progress and be spectacular, attractive and emotional. All this words are strictly connected with fair and fair play. Very happy for this new opportunity.– Sandro Pertile, FIS Ski Jumping Race Director

More points for telemark landings

In future, more weight will be given to a clean telemark landing. The judges will deduct 3 points (previously 2) if the athlete does not perform a telemark.

At the request of the athletes, there may also be 5 rounds of ski flying in one day in exceptional cases in future; previously the number was limited to 4 for safety reasons. The majority of athletes were in favour of the extension.

The women's and men's competitions are to be held more and more together. In the coming winter, there will only be minor changes due to the planning that has already been finalised; in the medium term, a joint calendar with one competition management will then be the aim.

Women Ski jumping has a huge potential to be developped. FIS strongly believe that joining the forces and profit by the high attention around Men Ski Jumping will increase tremendously the value of Women Ski Jumping. A great opportunity to reach higher interest.– Sandro Pertile, FIS Ski Jumping Race Director

There was long applause at the farewell ceremony for the two officials Bertil Palsrud (NOR) and Horst Tielmann (GER representing NED in the sub-committees).

Palsrud is ending his career after 25 years in which he was active as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for Equipment and Development and as Technical Delegate for the FIS. Andreas Bauer (GER) is to succeed him as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

Horst Tielmann has been a member of the FIS Expert Committees as an expert since 2002 and also managed the men's Continental Cup as coordinator for almost 20 years, successfully developing the series.

An application for FIS Honorary Membership will be submitted to the FIS Executive Board for Palsrud and Tielmann.

All changes still have to be confirmed by the FIS Executive Board at the FIS Congress on 5 June, but this is considered a formality.