The World Ski Federation FIS has come under criticism for the procedures at the ski jumping finals in Planica. While the men had three competitions on the flying hill, Katharina Schmid and Co. only started once from the normal hill.
Martin Schmitt can understand the jumpers’ displeasure. “I understand the dissatisfaction. The effect is of course not good. It is certainly unfortunate to have the women jump on the very small hill and the men on the very large jump,” said Schmitt.
The women’s competition was a make-up competition for a canceled competition in Rasnov, Romania. “Of course the question is: Wouldn’t they have found a way to do it as ski flying?” said Schmitt. Female ski jumpers have been fighting for equal rights for years. Since March 2023, women have also been allowed to take part in ski flying.
Top jumpers do not travel in protest
But not in Planica. The procedures there included jumping from the normal hill – on Thursday, while the men only took part in the competition on Friday. That didn’t go down well. Norway’s new ski flying world record holder Silje Opseth decided not to take part in the World Cup finals in Planica in protest against unequal treatment. Raw Air winner Eirin Marie Kvandal also did not compete in Slovenia.
“We’re actually being trampled on and don’t have much value. The boys are allowed to ski fly and do the coolest thing in the world, and we’re next to them on the smallest ski jump,” said Opseth.
Opseth, who increased the world record to 230.5 m in Vikersund in the first women’s flying in World Cup history after a painful fall during the rehearsal (“This was a child’s dream come true”), was already on vacation with her parents in Thailand booked.
Women’s Overall World Cup arrow right
