ski jumping: Quick Facts

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Ski jumping at the 1936 Winter Olympics

Soaring on skis

High above the city

Winter Olympics

Ski jumping equipmentJumping skis are longer and wider than other skis. The extra length allows superior tracking down inruns, and the wider construction provides maximum lift during a jump. Jumping skis also have a relatively flat camber to reduce the impact of landing. Jumping boots are similar to freestyle cross-country boots but have higher backs and a lower cut in front to allow the skier to lean forward easily during takeoff and throughout flight. The jumping binding is modified from the standard Nordic binding in two important ways. First, a heel wedge is usually present in back to lift the boot heel off the ski. Second, a cord secures the boot heel to the back of the binding in order to provide additional stability during flight.

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Topics

ski flying Olympic Games Nordic combined Winter Olympic Games skiing Nordic skiing ski mountaineering speed skiing cross-country skiing downhill skiing freestyle skiing Alpine skiing slalom ski patrol World Cup

Key People

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Simon Ammann

Swiss ski jumper

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Matti Nykänen

Finnish ski jumper

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Birger Ruud

Norwegian ski jumper

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Ulrich Wehling

German skier

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Sondre Norheim

Norwegian athlete and inventor

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