Ski jumping is one of winter sports' most spectacular events. Athletes launch themselves off massive ramps, soaring through the air before landing on steep slopes below. But how are they scored?
The Jump Phases
1. In-Run
Athletes crouch in an aerodynamic position as they accelerate down the in-run, reaching speeds up to 95 km/h at takeoff.
2. Takeoff
The critical moment. Jumpers must time their jump perfectly at the edge of the ramp, converting horizontal speed into upward momentum.
3. Flight
Modern jumpers use the V-style - spreading their skis into a V shape to maximize lift. This technique, pioneered in the 1980s, revolutionized the sport.
4. Landing
The iconic telemark landing - one ski in front of the other - is required for maximum style points. It shows control and stability.
How Scoring Works
Each jump is scored out of a maximum of approximately 180 points, combining:
Distance Points
The hill has a K-point (construction point) where a perfect jump should land. Jumpers earn 60 points for reaching the K-point, plus 1.8 points per meter beyond it (normal hill) or 1.2 points per meter (large hill).
Landing short of K-point means deductions at the same rate.
Style Points
Five judges score each jump from 0-20 points based on:
- Body position during flight
- Ski position and stability
- Telemark landing execution
- Overall impression
The highest and lowest scores are dropped. Maximum style points: 60.
Wind and Gate Compensation
To ensure fairness, points are added or subtracted based on wind conditions and starting gate position.
Hill Sizes
- Normal Hill: K-point around 90-100m (HS 100-109m)
- Large Hill: K-point around 120m (HS 130-145m)
- Ski Flying: Massive hills with HS 200m+ (jumps exceed 250m!)
Star Athletes
Austria's Stefan Kraft holds the world record at 253.5 meters. Japan's Ryōyū Kobayashi dominated the Four Hills Tournament. Norway's Halvor Egner Granerud is a consistent force.
In women's jumping, Slovenia's Nika Prevc and Germany's Katharina Schmid lead the World Cup standings.
Major Events
The Four Hills Tournament is ski jumping's most prestigious event, held every New Year across Germany and Austria. The Holmenkollen in Oslo and Planica in Slovenia are legendary venues.
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