A winter Olympic sport in which athletes slide down an inrun, leap from a takeoff, and fly through the air for distance and style.
Origin and rules
Ski jumping originated in 19th-century Norway, where farmers held informal contests on hillside ramps. The sport was formalised in the 1860s. Athletes accelerate down an inrun, launch from the takeoff edge, and aim for maximum flight distance.
How it plays
Hills include normal (around 90 metres), large (around 120 metres), and ski-flying (over 200 metres). Scoring combines distance and judges’ marks for style, with adjustments for wind and gate level. Athletes hold a V-shape in flight.
Competition
The FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, the Nordic World Championships, the Four Hills Tournament, and the Winter Olympics are top events. Austria, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Poland, and Japan lead the rankings. Ski jumping joined the Olympics in 1924.