Olympic ski jumping is a winter sport that showcases athletes soaring through the air off a large ramp, aiming for both distance and style points. Competitors launch from a towering in-run, generating speed before taking off from the jump, gliding in a V-shaped position to maximize aerodynamics and stability. Judges score athletes based on their jump length and technique, making ski jumping in the Olympics a thrilling display of skill and precision.
Ski jumping has been part of the Winter Games since the inaugural event, the Olympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924. The normal hill competition was introduced at the Olympic Winter Games Innsbruck 1964, expanding the event lineup. At the Olympic Winter Games Calgary 1988, the team event was added as a third competition, further shaping the sport's Olympic presence. Initially, only men competed, but women's ski jumping made its Olympic debut at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, marking a historic step for gender inclusion. Over the years, Olympic ski jumping has evolved with advancements in equipment, techniques, and safety measures, making it one of the most iconic events in the Winter Games.
Team USA received its first medal for the sport at the Olympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924, with Anders Haugen winning the bronze.
Olympic ski jumping consists of individual and team competitions across different hill sizes. Athletes compete in two primary categories: normal hill and large hill, with the latter allowing for longer flight distances. There are also men’s team and mixed team events.
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| name | sport | Education | hometown | age | Medals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Annika Belshaw Sport: Ski Jumping Education: Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) Hometown: Steamboat Springs, CO Age: 23 | Ski Jumping | Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) | Steamboat Springs, CO | 23 | |||||
 Kevin Bickner Olympian 2018, 2022 Sport: Ski Jumping Education: DeVry University Hometown: Wauconda, IL Age: 29 | Ski Jumping | DeVry University | Wauconda, IL | 29 | |||||
 | Ski Jumping | DeVry University | Fox River Grove, IL | 30 | |||||
 Decker Dean Olympian 2022 Sport: Ski Jumping Education: Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) Hometown: Steamboat Springs, CO Age: 25 | Ski Jumping | Steamboat Springs High School (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) | Steamboat Springs, CO | 25 | |||||
 | Ski Jumping | DeVry University | Florence, WI | 33 | |||||
 Nicholas Fairall Olympian 2014 Sport: Ski Jumping Education: Proctor Academy Westminster College, DeVry University Hometown: Andover, NH Age: 36 | Ski Jumping | Proctor Academy Westminster College, DeVry University | Andover, NH | 36 | |||||
TF Tate Frantz Sport: Ski Jumping | Ski Jumping | ||||||||
 Patrick Gasienica Olympian 2022 Sport: Ski Jumping Education: Richmond Burton Community High School (Richmond, Ill.) DeVry University Hometown: Mchenry, IL Age: 24 | Ski Jumping | Richmond Burton Community High School (Richmond, Ill.) DeVry University | Mchenry, IL | 24 | |||||
 Michael Glasder Olympian 2018 Sport: Ski Jumping Education: Cary-Grove High School (Cary, Ill.) DeVry University Hometown: Cary, IL Age: 36 | Ski Jumping | Cary-Grove High School (Cary, Ill.) DeVry University | Cary, IL | 36 | |||||
EH Estella Hassrick Sport: Ski Jumping | Ski Jumping | ||||||||
Ski jumpers use specialized skis that are longer and wider than traditional alpine skis, providing greater lift during flight. Athletes also wear aerodynamic suits designed to reduce air resistance, along with protective helmets and goggles to ensure safety at high speeds.
Ski jumping competitions take place on designated hills featuring an in-run, takeoff table and landing zone. Hill size varies, with Normal Hills having a K-point around 90 meters and Large Hills set around 120-140 meters. Judges evaluate jumps based on both distance and style, with deductions for unstable landings or body positioning errors.
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