Ski jumping

Ski jumping is a winter sport in which skiers go down a hill with a take-off ramp (the jump), attempting to go as far as possible.

In addition to the length, judges give points for style, on a scale from 1 to 20.

The skis used for ski jumping are wide and long, with parallel sides.

Using the modern V-technique, pioneered by Jan Boklöw of Sweden, world-level skiers are able to exceed the distance of the take-off hill by about 10 percent compared to the previous technique with parallel skis. Aerodynamics have become a factor of increasing importance in modern ski jumping.

Ski jumping is an element in the Nordic combined event.

The origin of ski jumping was in Morgedal, but the first proper competition was held in Trysil in 1862. The first widely known ski jumping competition was held in Husebybakken, Oslo, in 1879. The yearly event was moved to Holmenkollen from 1892, and Holmenkollen has remained the Mecca of ski jumping ever since.

There have been attempts to spread the popularity of the sport by finding ways by which the construction and upkeep of practising and competition venues can be made easier. These include plastic "fake snow" to provide a slippery surface even during the summer time and in locations where snow is a rare occurrence and the Ski jumping sling invented by Spede Pasanen which allows construction of an inexpensive and unobtrusive jumping tower.

Notable ski jumpers

• Matti Nykänen
• Jens Weissflog
• Jan Boklöw
• Hans? Hannawald?
• Toni Nieminen

See also: History of skiing