Sudden rule change in women’s ski jumping suits takes effect immediately

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has enacted rapid changes to the regulations governing women’s ski‑jumping suits, with implementation starting immediately—just four months before the Winter Olympic Games. According to TVP Sport, the first competition under the new rules will be the Summer Grand Prix finals in Klingenthal.

The decision follows a series of serious falls at Predazzo (K98), where Eva Pinkelnig, Alexandria Loutitt, and Haruka Kasai suffered significant injuries. World Cup director Sandro Pertile said the incidents prompted not only regulatory adjustments but also infrastructure changes—most notably, a planned modification of the jump’s take‑off angle to enhance safety.

Eva Pinkelnig voiced strong frustration, saying that if risks on the hills were known earlier, athletes had been treated like “guinea pigs.” The dramatic images from those crashes accelerated FIS’s move.

What changes in the suits?

• Sleeves for women’s suits are extended by 2 cm.
• Permissible circumferences are increased by up to 5 cm relative to the athlete’s body measurements.
• Looser allowances in the crotch area are permitted.

Former jumper and FIS expert Jernej Damjan explained that slightly larger women’s suits generate better flight, lowering vertical landing speed and thereby reducing joint load. Poland women’s head coach Stefan Hula cautioned that the relaxation is marginal rather than revolutionary; he expects only small effects and anticipates competitions may be conducted from one to two start gates lower to keep speeds and distances in check.

The updated rules debut this weekend in Klingenthal: women compete on Saturday at 12:20, men at 16:05, with a mixed team event on Sunday. Poland fields a full women’s team; Anna Twardosz leads the squad after placing 17th in qualifying.