A ski jump consists of three basic components:
- The in-run, which is the long ramp leading down to the takeoff where the skier begins his jump.
- The landing hill, which slopes downward steeply where the skier creates an aerodynamic flight position in an effort to maximize his distance.
- The outrun area where the skier comes to a stop.
In competition, each jumper performs two jumps. The jumper’s score is a combination of distance and judging (approximately 50 per cent each). The jumper with the highest total points for both jumps is the winner.
In team competition, four jumpers comprise a team. The cumulative score of all four jumpers is used to determine the rank of the participating nations.
The Nordic combined event, which is considered the most difficult of the Nordic sports, combines the Nordic skiing disciplines of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. The event begins with a ski jumping competition scored by normal ski jumping rules. The cross-country race begins with the winner of the ski jump going out of the start first. The remainder of the field begins the race staggered based on their ski jumping scores behind the winner. The first athlete across the finish line is the winner.
The Nordic combined team event begins with a team jumping competition conducted exactly like a team ski jumping event (four competitors). The results from the team ski jumping event are used to determine the start order of the cross-country race, which is conducted in a relay format with each skier completing a 5-kilometre lap and tagging the next teammate. The first team to cross the finish wins.
The method for converting a ski jump score to a cross-country start time is known as the Gundersen method — a mathematical means to equate jumping scores with cross-country times based on the distance of a cross-country race.
Judging
Five ski jump judges assess the athlete’s style and the best and worst scores from the five judges are rejected. While the length of an athlete’s flight is important, the judges’ points can often determine the winner. There are 20 points available to an athlete from which the following penalties are deducted:
- Flight phase: An athlete can be deducted up to five points for poor form or undue movement while in the flight phase.
- Landing: An athlete can lose up to five points for not landing in an optimum way, where both skis contact the snow parallel at the same time, preferably in a telemark style. An athlete who is unsure on landing or commits other errors will be deducted accordingly.
- Non-telemark landing: Should an athlete land without using a telemark style, he will lose a minimum of two points.
- Deceleration zone: An athlete is marked on how balanced he is as he slows down from the jump. An athlete should show balance keeping his hands/body off the snow. The maximum deduction for errors or falls during the deceleration phase is seven points. Specific deductions can be found on the FIS website: www.fis-ski.com
The ski jump facility at Whistler Olympic Park will be used for ski jumping and Nordic combined. All ski jumping facilities must be homologated (certified) by the FIS and must comply with its homologation standards.
Normal Hill Event
The normal hill individual event is on the smaller of the two hills. All athletes jump in the qualification round. The 50 best skiers advance to the first competition round. From there, the best 30 skiers advance to the second competition round. The final score is a combination of the two jumps.
Large Hill Event
The large hill individual event is on the larger of the two hills. All athletes jump in the qualification round. The 50 best skiers advance to the first competition round. From there, the best 30 skiers advance to the second competition round. The final score is a combination of the two jumps.
Team Jumping Event Large Hill
Teams of four skiers each receive a score for two jumps off the large hill. Their combined team score is compared to that of other nations’ teams to determine the winner.