Women’s ski jumping: with clipped wings during the ascent

KAtharina Althaus only has to lean over the railing of her balcony at home in Oberstdorf, then she sees two towers in the distance: that of the flying hill and that of the large hill. They symbolize two of her childhood dreams. Jumping off one of the world’s only five existing monster beacons that allow distances of over 200 meters – that would be it. And experience the introduction of a Four Hills Tournament for women as active participants, after all, Oberstdorf is always the starting point for the prestigious men’s competition. “Since I always watched live on site as a child, it simply fascinated me,” says the world-class athlete. And the fulfillment of the dream is so close.

But the reality was different on Thursday: while Karl Geiger, also from Oberstdorf, finished fourth in front of 25,000 fans at an impressive ski jumping party, Althaus jumped to second place in front of a handful of spectators in Villach/Austria. From a normal hill that allows significantly shorter distances. The contrast could hardly be greater.

On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day it’s the same scenario, just in different places: limelight for the men in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, shadow for the women in Ljubno/Slovenia. The introduction of the Four Hills Tournament for women as an incorporation into the men’s event has long been an issue. The premiere of the New Year’s Eve tour these days is undoubtedly a step in this direction, and actually Althaus from Villach and Ljubno would have looked forward to the tour stations with great anticipation, should it be so far for them next winter. But nothing will come of it, premiere will be postponed. And so the joy about the upswing in women’s ski jumping is mixed with disappointment. Much has happened, but it remains a struggle.

“You no longer feel out of place”

“We notice that we are getting more attention. And I think it’s a good way that we’re going,” says Althaus. “I hope things continue like this and of course I wish that we finally get our Four Hills Tournament.” The prospect of a women’s tour was a reason for the 26-year-old to continue her career. Because she has been around for a long time and has experienced all stages of the development of her sport: As a 15-year-old, Althaus was one of the starters in the hard-fought first World Cup, and she was also there at the Olympic premiere in 2014 in Sochi. “Even as a child I dreamed of being able to take part in the Olympic Games, although women’s ski jumping was far from being part of the program at the time. But I think as a child you just pick the biggest one,” says Althaus.

She then won silver in Pyeongchang in 2018, celebrated a total of three World Cup golds with the mixed team and in 2021 also gold at the World Cup premiere of a women’s quartet. In 2022 in Beijing she followed up with Olympic silver. The Olympic premiere there in mixed, however, turned into a farce due to a number of incomprehensible disqualifications, Althaus and thus the German team were also affected by the suit chaos. The anger was great. Ironically, at the Olympic premiere of mixed jumping. “It took me a long time to digest that, and for a long time I still had moments when I thought about it and had to nibble on it,” says Althaus today. “In the meantime I’ve ticked it off and I’m concentrating on the new challenges.”

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Disqualifications in Beijing

There’s no question: women’s ski jumping has undergone enormous development, women athletes are getting more and more opportunities, and ratings and spectator numbers are increasing. “It’s an interesting phase. We notice from year to year that it is getting better. That we are having more and more competitions with men,” says Althaus. She doesn’t feel like a supporting actress. “When we jump together with the men at a World Cup weekend, it’s very balanced. You no longer feel out of place. We belong. I am pleased that our performance is now appreciated.”

Whereas the gap between the best and the rest used to be huge, today the range is greater on the one hand and the overall level on the other is much higher. The distances reached by Althaus and the others at the top do not have to hide behind those of the men. And since the jumpers have long since proven that they are up to the large hills, they will fly off the larger Bakken for the first time at the Olympics in 2026. And above all: Althaus’ dream of flying will come true this winter. At the end of the season at the RAW Air Tour in Norway, the best 15 athletes will sail from the ski flying hill in Vikersund towards the valley. “I’m really happy that it’s finally here. That we are finally allowed to do so,” Althaus rejoices. “I’ve hoped so for a long time.”

Hüttel is stunned – “impudence”

This hope still applies to the Four Hills Tournament, it remains the big goal of the athletes. Everything was already decided. In spring, the associations announced: The premiere will come in 2023/2024 with the start in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the second station in Oberstdorf, i.e. the other way around than for men. The Austrians wanted to use the time to clarify open questions. Shortly before Christmas, however, they backed down, which came as a surprise to the athletes and the German Ski Association (DSV). There are “many factors to be considered that do not allow an earlier introduction,” it said succinctly. The tour is possible in 2024/25 at the earliest.

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The resentment was and is great. “Extremely bitter,” said Althaus, Geiger said: “I’m extremely sorry for the girls.” And DSV sports director Horst Hüttel is stunned: “An absolute injustice. Not because of a level playing field. A huge opportunity is being missed here,” he says. “Every year in which no women’s Four Hills Tournament is held is a lost year.” The prestige of the tour is simply unique, it would give the women another boost – in this country especially since a German would jump for overall victory in Althaus . After all: The World Cups in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf should take place in 2023.

Collaboration: Kristina Ellwanger