July 25, 2008 – The 15th edition of the FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping will begin this week in Hinterzarten (GER). This represents the tenth time that Hinterzarten hosts the opening competition of this summer series. Following the opening team competition on Saturday, the first individual competition on Sunday will kick off the 3rd so-called “Four-Nations-Tournament” which includes competitions in Hinterzarten (GER), Courchevel (FRA), Pragelato (ITA) and Einsiedeln (SUI). Between Hinterzarten and this year’s final that will take place in Liberec (CZE) on 4th October, the FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping series will include ten individual events and one team competition.

There will be a special points ranking for the Four-Nations-Tournament and other prizes. In every Four-Nations competition, the qualification winner will get a ‘Formula-1’ Jacques-Lemans watch. The four winners of the individuals competitions will receive a KTM mountain bike, while the overall winner of the Tournament receives a KTM Supermoto 690, worth nearly E10’000.

The FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping traditionally serves as the testing ground for rule changes for the upcoming winter season. ”Not only does the FIS Grand Prix help our athletes and coaches evaluate their current performance levels, but it also helps our hosts and FIS test improvements and innovations in competition. Of course, the main focus for everyone is on preparation for the winter‘s tightly packed Ski Jumping calendar. Yet most of the best jumpers will be at start in Hinterzarten,” commented Walter Hofer, FIS Race Director Ski Jumping.

Traditionally, the Grand Prix has given a good indication of the form for the upcoming season. The last three winners each went on to win the overall World Cup the following winter, such as the 2007 winner Thomas Morgenstern (World Cup winner 2007/08), 2006 winner Adam Malysz (World Cup winner 2006/07) and 2005 winner Jakub Janda (World Cup winner 2005/2006).