June 09, 2011 – The ladies FIS Ski Jumping World Cup will be officially introduced next season. The first World Cup calendar was approved by the FIS Council this week (although some amendments might still follow to optimize travel logistics). The introduction of the ladies’ World Cup series will support the rapid development of the ladies program, which is also enhanced by the recent decision taken by the International Olympic Committee to include the event in the Olympic program beginning with Sochi 2014.

In Ski Jumping, the other main innovation for the upcoming season will be the introduction of mixed team competitions for the men and ladies as part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. A mixed team will consist of two ladies and two men from one nation. Locations and dates of these competitions will be announced later.

The men’s World Cup calendar was also confirmed with 33 World Cup competitions and the FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Vikersund (NOR) on the schedule. Kuopio (FIN) is not in calendar anymore, but Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) was confirmed after the organizers agreed to install a wind net.

The Council also approved the increase of the required Body-Mass-Index (BMI) from 20.5 to 21 (with boots and suit) for the men and 20.5 for the ladies. Last season many jumpers decided to use shorter skis instead of having a higher BMI. This increase shall now reverse that trend.