August 12, 2012 – This summer, the Ski Jumping ladies have so far only had the opportunity to test themselvesat the Continental Cup in Villach (AUT) on 14th-15th July. Courchevel (FRA) and Hinterzarten (GER) will now be the first chance to compete at a high-class international level on 14th-15th and 18th-19th August, respectively. At the same time the new mixed team competition will debut in Courchevel. This new format consists of two ladies and two men from each nation. With this new format it is tricky to name any favorite teams, but the competition promises to be exciting for athletes, coaches and spectators alike.

In the absence of the overall World Cup winner 2011/12 Sarah Hendrickson (USA) who underwent surgery in spring and still cannot train on the hill, the main focus of the ladies’ summer season will be on competitors such as Daniela Iraschko (AUT), Sara Takanashi (JPN) and Ulrike Grässler (GER). But there are also other athletes who would like to show what they are capable of at the upcoming competitions. A closer look at the start list reflects strong participation by top FIS World Cup athletes and it remains to be seen who will manage to claim the overall title in the summer.

After a break of five weeks after Hinterzarten, the Ladies’ Summer Grand Prix will conclude in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 22nd-23rd September. These last competitions might already give some more detailed information about the progress of the athletes’ summer preparations.

The start of the World Cup season on 23rd-24th November in Lillehammer (NOR) will still be a while, so every athlete will have to wait for the on-snow training to evaluate her level of performance.

KEY FACTS (local time / subject to changes)

Race Program Courchevel (FRA):
MONDAY, 13 AUGUST
19:00 Team Captains Meeting

TUESDAY, 14 AUGUST
10:30 Official Training Ladies HS96
18:00 Trial Round Mixed Team HS96
19:00 Mixed Team Competition HS96

WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST
12:00 Official Training Ladies HS96
13:00 Qualification Ladies HS96 (if necessary)
14:00 Individual Competition Ladies HS96

Race Program Hinterzarten (GER):
FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST
08:30 Team Captains Meeting
11:00 Official Training Ladies HS108
19:30 Trial Round Ladies HS108
20:30 Individual Competition Ladies HS108

SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST
09:30 Team Captains Meeting
19:00 Trial Round Mixed Team HS108
20:30 Mixed Team Competition HS108

Race Program Almaty (KAZ):
THURSDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER
20:00 Team Captains Meeting

FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER
13:30 Official Training Ladies HS106

SATURDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER
14:00 Trial Round Ladies HS106
15:00 Individual Competition Ladies HS106
19:30 Team Captains Meeting

SUNDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER
09:30 Trial Round Ladies HS106
10:30 Individual Competition Ladies HS106