The popular art of Ski Jumping
Introduction
For an average spectator, ski jumping appears a lot easier than it actually is. This sport requires you to wear an aerodynamic body suit and just ski down a slope to launch yourself into thin air. It is a guarantee that most people will not be able to maintain any sort of control on their body while being in mid air and during landing. The professional skiers are so adapt at this art that they make it look so simple.
Ski jumping for the first time became a part of Winter Olympic Games in 1924. Since then it has become a popular sport in other parts of world apart from the US. The sport is continuously gaining in popularity but it requires a great degree of patience and a lot of practice. Even though the sport appears similar to downhill skiing, it actually needs a different gear and skill set. The primary objective of ski jumping is to make the longest possible jump.
Ski Jumping Competition
The sport of ski jumping is entertaining to watch and even more thrilling to participate in. The judges give points to the competitors based on the distance covered in the jump and style. A target mark is in place and is called The Calculation (K) Point. The ski jumpers are awarded 60 points if they land on the K point and you get points for every meter beyond the K point. The points are added for landing beyond the point and subtracted if you land short of it and you may get up to another 20 points for style. This includes holding the correct form right throughout the jump (balance, steadiness of skis etc). In the Olympic Games there are five judges who score the participants and then the final scores are calculated.
The ski jumpers start at the start platform and continue down the in-run. These sportsmen launch into the air at take off point and are traveling as fast as they possibly can before they hit landing zone and all this has to be done by maintaining perfect form.
There are three types of events held during the Olympic Ski Jumping contest. First is the "individual normal hill" and it has a K point of 75-99 meters. Second is the "individual large hill"; it has a K point more than 100 meters. Then there is a team event as well held normally on the large hill and it needs a team of 4 skiers. You can also take part in amateur and junior competitions that are held over smaller hills.
Getting started with Ski Jumping
In case you have never ski jumped before, you need to practice on smaller ramps first. At first you should jump only a few feet in the air because if you try more you may get injured. Also try to practice starting and landing positions on the small ramp. Start to ski towards the ramp with a steady speed, not too fast as you will feel out of control. When you have gathered decent speed, pull up the poles under the arms otherwise they get in the way of your first jump. The knees have to be bent throughout the exercise including your take off. Bend down till the chest touches the knees and when you are in the air crouch down and point the skis slightly up. Ensure that you don’t cross the skis while landing as it will result in a fall. On landing squat with the knees bent for absorbing the impact. You can try larger hills as you grow confident.
