Ski Jumping at the Winter Olympics

Ski Jumping at the Winter Olympics: Ski jumping is a discipline of skiing, which is contested at the international skiing competitions. The event developed in the late nineteenth century Norway. The event has developed with the passing time since its advent as a sport. The aim of ski jumping is to jump as far as possible and then to ski down a hill-slope. The skiers use long, wide skis during this event. Various jumping techniques are also acquired by the skiers to travel more distance than others. Generally ski jumping is held on natural snow. However, the event can also be staged on artificial surfaces. The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Ski or the FIS at the international level.

Ski Jumping in the Winter Games: Ski jumping was included in the Olympic schedule at the 1924 Chamonix Winter Games. Men's individual large hill was the only event contested at the 1924 Games.

The events currently contested at the Winter Olympic skiing competition are-

• Men's Individual NH
• Men's Individual LH
• Men's Team

Categories of Ski Jumping: Ski jumping can be divided in various categories. The main categories of ski jumping are-

• Normal hill ski jumping
• Large hill ski jumping
• Team ski jumping
• Ski flying

Rules of Ski Jumping: The Federation Internationale de Ski or the FIS is authorized to set rules for ski jumping at the international level. Some of the rules followed during the international ski jumping competitions are-

• The jumping hills used during the competitions should be constructed according to the format mentioned in the FIS rule-book.
• The length of the in-run used during the ski jumping competitions is determined by the FIS.
• The jumping hill should be prepared with precaution for ensuring the competitors' safety.
• The jumping hill and the in-run should be inspected by the officials before the competition.
• A number of officials are appointed during the competitions to monitor the skiers' performances.
• Distances of the jumps taken by the skiers are recorded. They are also given points for the jumping styles acquired by them. The total points of the skiers are evaluated to determine the winner of the event.
• All the equipments used by the skiers during the competition have to meet the standard set by the FIS in its rule-book.
• Violation of any FIS rule during the competition can lead to disqualification from the competition.
• Any competitor found using performance enhancing drug during the competition is liable for disqualification.

Medal winners in Ski Jumping: Finland, Norway, Austria, Japan and Germany are the leading nations in the domain of international ski jumping competitions. some of the famous ski jumpers of the world are Jacob Tullin Thams, Alf Andersen, Birger Ruud, Petter Hugstedt, Arnfinn Bergmann, Antti Hyvarinen, Helmut Recknagel, Sigmund Ruud, Hans Beck, Niilo Halonen, Aulis Kallakorpi, Harry Glass, Otto Leodolter, Torbjorn Falkanger, Torgeir Brandtzg, Baldur Preiml, Seiji Aochi, Karl Schnabl, Jari Puikkonen, Jiri Malec, Thoralf Engan, Vladimir Belousov, Wojciech Fortuna, Karl Schnabl, Jouko Tormanen, Matti Nykanen, Ernst Vettori, Espen Bredesen, Jani Soininen, Simon Ammann, Lars Bystoel, Martin Hollwarth, Adam Malysz and Andreas Kofler.