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Ski jumping is truly one of the most dramatic sports at the Olympics, with competitors soaring through the air for what seems like minutes before touching down with the grace of a ballet dancer.

As much a test of mental strength as physical ability, athletes must believe that their training and form will deliver them safely to the bottom of the hill. Please visit http://www.skijumpingcanada.com for more information on how you too, can soar like an eagle!

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Years of changes and improvements have helped determine the three Ski Jumping events at the Winter Olympics. Two of these events use the larger 120 m jump – one is an individual event the other is a team event. The third event is another individual competition that uses a smaller 90m jump.

In the individual events each competitor combines their score from two jumps. In the team event each team has four members that each jump twice, the team score is the combination of all 8 scores. Points are not only awarded for the length of the jump, but also for the jumpers’ style and technique.

Jumpers approach the ramp in a crouched position traveling over 80 km/h. As the skier reaches the end of the ramp the jumper thrusts upwards into their flight position - the athlete leans forward with their arms tucked in at their sides and their skis parallel to their body in a “V” position. This position allows the jumper to lean on the air and stay in flight for as long as possible.

In order to maintain control when landing, jumpers bend their knees and try to establish the “telemark” position, with one ski slightly in front of the other. The total length of the jump is measured from take off to the landing point, a spot between the skier’s feet.

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No one is exactly sure where and how Ski Jumping originated, but it is commonly believed that ski jumping originated in Northern Europe in the mid 1800’s with children testing out their courage while they played on skis.

The first ski jumping contest was held in Norway, in 1862. Since that time ski jumping contests were held at ski carnivals throughout Norway and in 1892, competitions became more prestigious with the Norwegian royal family presenting the “King’s Cup” to the winner of the annual ski event. Ski jumping was one of the sports contested at the first Winter Olympic games in 1924.

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