April 20, 2012 (Zürich, Switzerland) – At the Sub-Committee meetings for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined in Zürich on Friday and Saturday one of the most debated topics was the jumping suit which had become a topic following some well-publicized disqualifications during last season.

In the season 2011/12, a total of 1781 suits were controlled and approved for competition – 738 in the men’s World Cup and Grand Prix, 428 in the ladies World and Continental Cups, 615 in the men’s Continental and FIS Cups. Of the 14 disqualifications in the men’s World Cup only eight were due to suit rule violations, in the men’s COC the figure was 39 out of a total of 60.

“The atmosphere between the controllers and athletes is very good,” tells Sepp Gratzer, who will begin his tenth season as equipment controller in the men’s FIS World Cup. “The athletes themselves want many controls – the more controls, the more fairness and more equal chances.”

Besides various criteria – e.g. length of arms and legs, collar, different parts and seams etc. – the current rules call for “body measures plus a tolerance of 6cm,” allowing up to 6 cm of “air” between the body and the suit.

Last week a new suit was presented in Zürich. Made of five rather than seven parts, it has fewer seams and the tolerance of the suit is planned to be reduced from 6 cm to 0 cm. Hence the body size equals the suit size and the suit will practically become part of the body. Only from the knee downwards the old rule will still apply so the boot still fits under the suit.

“We tested various materials and found fabrics that are elastic enough for the different positions during a jump,” Gratzer explains. Both men and ladies will benefit from the planned change.

In terms of calendar, the men’s Summer Grand Prix will start with two competitions in Wisla (POL) on 20th-21st July and end in Klingenthal (GER) on 3rd October. The 2012/13 World Cup season will not start in Finland this time, but in Lillehammer (NOR) on November 24th-25th. The competitions in Kuusamo will take place one week later. With competitions in Vikersund (NOR), Harrachov (CZE), Oberstdorf (GER) and the final in Planica (SLO) in late March, four ski flying weekends are included in the calendar.

Whilst the FIS Sub-Committee agreed to the proposals that also include the calendars, nothing is decided yet. Next the National Ski Associations are requested to submit their feedback, on which basis the Jumping Committee will discuss the proposals during the FIS Congress in South Korea in late May before submitting them to the FIS Council for final decision.

2013 Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup Finals on the Holmenkollen?
What is already a tradition for the men, might also apply to the ladies’ Ski Jumping from the upcoming winter: the Holmenkollen in Oslo could become for the ladies what Planica is for the men for many years to come – the location for the FIS ladies Ski Jumping World Cup final.

For the ladies this would also be a premiere, because so far the World Cup competitions are only held on normal hills and the Holmenkollen (HS 134) is a large hill.

A total of 17 events are planned in the ladies World Cup next season.

The Ladies’ Summer Grand Prix will begin on August 15th with competitions in the classic sites of Courchevel and Hinterzarten and also include the first mixed competitions with teams consisting of two male and two female jumpers in the Summer Grand Prix. The final events of the summer series will be two competitions in Almaty (KAZ) on September 22nd and 23rd.

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.

January 12, 2011 (Hinterzarten, Germany) – Daniela Iraschko (AUT) and Coline Mattel (FRA) shared victories at the FIS Ladies Ski Jumping COC event in Hinterzarten today. Iraschko won the first competition of the day – which replaced the cancelled event in Schönwald-Schonach – while Mattel was first on Day 2 which was decided with only one jump due to bad weather and a deteriorating inrun track.

Iraschko won the first competition with 103.0m and 106.5m jumps for a total of 268.5 points ahead of Mattel (FRA/97.5 and 101 m/245.5 points) and Eva Logar (SLO/96.0 m and 99.5 m/234 points).

It was the 31st top ten result for Logar, but only her second COC podium after a third place finish in Zakopane in March 2010. Her teammate Anja Tepes was sixth – her 6th career the top ten finish. All together, four Slovenian athletes placed in the first ten spots.

Mattel, with 102.5 m/130.0 points, won the second competition that was decided with only one jump ahead of Iraschko (98.5 m/121.5 points) and reigning World Champion Lindsey Van (USA/97.0 m/116.5 points) in third. At the beginning of the final round, heavy snowfall began.

The Women’s Ski Jumping Continental Cup will continue with two competitions in Braunlage (GER) this coming Saturday and Sunday.

QUOTES

Daniela Iraschko
“It was a nice day after the difficult and emotional days in Schonach. I still think on Simona Senoner (the Italian jumper who died few days ago), but I was able to jump relieved.”

I tested a lot in the last weeks and changed something in my binding system. I’m happy to see that these efforts work out and bring good results.”

“I was ill but feel in great shape now. I do not look to Anette Sagen’s record of 42 COC victories, I’m looking just from competition to competition.”

“The hill in Hinterzarten is very nice, I like to jump it. In the first competition, for sure I was also lucky with the wind conditions.”

Coline Mattel
“When I started to my attempt in the second competition, the inrun was okay. I cannot say if the cancellation of the final round was correct or not but I believe that our Jury does a very good job.”

“I do not see myself in direct competition with Daniela Iraschko. It is more important for me to focus on myself and to try to do the best what I can do. If this happens, results will follow automatically.”

Eva Logar
“I got my second COC podium place in my career, therefore I’m happy. I had two really good jumps in the first competition but one not so good in the second event.”

“We trained a lot as a team last summer, today, we saw some results!”

Lindsey Van
“It was a right decision to cancel the final round of the second competition. The conditions started to become dangerous and unfair.”

“I’m happy that we go home after the competition in Braunlage for training, I do not feel myself in great shape. We will come back to Europe for the events in Ramsau.”

www.fisskijumping.com

First competition
1. Daniela Iraschko (AUT) 103.0 m (1) 106.5 m (1) 268.5 points
2. Coline Mattel (FRA) 97 .5 m (2) 101.0 m (2) 245.5 points
3. Eva Logar (SLO) 96.0 m (3) 99.5 m (4) 234.0 points

Full results HERE.

Second competition
1. Coline Mattel (FRA) ´102.5 m 130.0 points
2. Daniela Iraschko (AUT) 98.5 m 121.5 points
3. Lindsey Van (USA) 97.0 m 116.5 points

Full results HERE.

COC Standings
1. Daniela Iraschko (AUT) 840 points
2. Coline Mattel (FRA) 540
3. Jessica Jerome (USA) 526
4. Lindsey Van (USA) 443
5. Melanie Faisst (GER) 390

Full standings HERE.

January 11, 2011 (Schonach, Germany) – Two members of the Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team finished in the top five Saturday in a Continental Cup event that was overshadowed by the tragic and unexpected death of a young Italian jumper. Day 2 of the competition was cancelled on Sunday morning due to strong wind and rain.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation confirmed that Simona Senoner, just 17, died suddenly Friday in Schonach, Germany after feeling ill in her hotel room. The Associated Press reported that Senoner was airlifted to a local hospital after her roommate discovered her collapsed, but she was declared dead upon arrival. No cause of death was given, though early reports cite cardiac arrest. Senoner finished 10th in the 2008 junior worlds.

Visa team member Jessica Jerome said all the women jumpers wore armbands over their jumpsuits during competition Saturday in memory of Senoner and they observed a moment of silence at the prize ceremony.

Jerome finished 4th, Lindsey Van was 5th, Alissa Johnson was 22nd and Abby Hughes was 24th. Austria’s Daniela Iraschko won the event.

“It is absolutely unfathomable what the Italian girls are going through right now,” Jerome said. “I didn’t know Simona well, but she was very well loved by her teammates. She was always smiling and happy. All the jumper girls are still in shock. I admire the Italian girls’ ability to come together and perform the way they did Saturday.”

Hughes said she plans to wear her armband in honor of Simona for the remainder of the COC season. “I really admire the Italian girls for competing this weekend. Evelyn Insam finished 7th and she told me she did it for Simona,” Hughes said. “It’s amazing how this community has come together for her team, friends and family. It has definitely given me a different perspective.”

Higher than normal temperatures gave way to rain this week in Schonach, causing training delays, though Saturday’s comp was smooth. Van was third after her first jump of 95 meters on the 106-meter hill and Jerome was sixth with 92 meters. Jerome edged forward after her second jump of 97.5 meters – highest of the round.

“My second jump was exactly what I wanted, much better technically and flying in the air and I hope to carry that into competition on Sunday,” Jerome said.

Jerome and Van are currently in second and third in the women’s Continental Cup overall standings.

The next event is scheduled in Hinterzarten, Germany on Jan. 12.

“It has been very difficult for women’s ski jumping with the loss of Simona and our hearts go out to her family and the Italian team during this difficult time. They have shown amazing strength and they are an inspiration,” said Alissa Johnson.

4. Jessica Jerome, USA (95, 90.5) 227.9
5. Lindsey Van, USA, (88.5, 91.0) 222.9
22. Alissa Johnson, USA (82.5, 83.5) 182.8
24. Abby Hughes, USA (82.5, 83.5) 178.6

December 17, 2010 (Notodden, Norway) – Light snowfall was the backdrop for competition at the K90 hill Friday in Notodden, Norway where Austria’s Daniela Iraschko won her fourth Continental Cup competition in a row this winter season. And Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team member Jessica Jerome reached the podium for a third time this winter by taking second place.

Iraschko jumped 97.0 and 95.5 meters; Jerome 94.0 and 91.5 meters and Italy’s Elena Runggaldier leaped from 10th to 3rd place after the second round (90.5 and 96.5 m). Visa Team member Lindsey Van was second heading into the second round, but fell to seventh after her second jump (94.5 and 90 meters).

Jerome is currently in second place overall and is having one of the best seasons of her career. She’s more confident and consistent, saying, “I know what I need to do to keep improving and jumping farther, so every day I am looking forward to expanding on what I’m already doing right. The entire team is doing so well as a whole. The motivation keeps growing and our jumps keep getting better.”

Jumpers from seven different countries were in the top 10 spots Friday, another indication that athletes and competition is getting even stronger and more widespread.

The COC continues Saturday in Notodden and then takes a holiday break before resuming competition in Schonach, Germany on Jan. 8, 2011.

Full results HERE.

Continental Cup
Notodden, Norway
Dec. 17, 2010
Women’s HS98
(top 30 after first round jump in second round)

1. Daniela Iraschko, Austria (97, 95.5) 254
2. Jessica Jerome, USA, (94, 91.5) 242.5
3. Elena Runggaldier, ITA, (90.5, 96.5) 242
–
7. Lindsey Van, USA, (94.5, 90) 235.5
16. Sarah Hendrickson, USA, (87.5, 88.5) 217
20. Alissa Johnson, USA, (83.5, 88.5) 208
24. Abby Hughes, USA, (85.5, 86.5) 202
30. Nita Englund, USA, (83.5, 79) 180
32. Nina Lussi, USA, (80) 88
38. Avery Ardovino, USA, (76.5) 81
39. Karin Friberg, USA, (78) 80.5