Unprecedented Upset in Ski Jumping: A Shocking Result!

Unprecedented Upset in Ski Jumping: A Shocking Result!

At the recent summer ski jumping championships held in Finland, a truly bizarre and unprecedented event took place. Competing in the men's division were 19 athletes, including two from China. In a surprising twist, Zhao Jiawen, a competitor primarily known for Nordic combined, claimed victory in the event—a feat that has never been seen in this sport. Vilho Palosaari, the top Finnish jumper, finished in third place.

Finnish ski jumping has encountered numerous obstacles over the years. The glory days of champions like Janne Ahonen and Matti Hautamaeki are long behind us. Although athletes such as Harri Ollila and Ville Larinto have managed to secure podiums in World Cup events, the nation has not produced a competitor capable of challenging at the highest levels in recent years. The last time a Finnish ski jumper stood on the World Cup podium was in 2014, when Anssi Koivuranta triumphed in Innsbruck as part of the Four Hills Tournament.

The Decline of Finnish Ski Jumping

Once a powerhouse in ski jumping, Finland's team now struggles to make it past the qualifying rounds. The last five seasons present a stark illustration of the team’s decline in the World Cup overall standings:
- 2019/20: Antti Aalto, 32nd place (133 points)
- 2020/21: Antti Aalto, 37th place (90 points)
- 2021/22: Eetu Nousiainen, 40th place (65 points)
- 2022/23: Niko Kytosaho, 37th place (77 points)
- 2023/24: Niko Kytosaho, 30th place (189 points)

These results highlight a noticeable decline in the Finnish team's performance.

A Stark Turn of Events at the Championships

The surprises didn’t end there at the summer championships, where top Finnish skier Vilho Palosaari secured third place, while dominance was exhibited by Chinese Nordic combined athlete Jiawen Zhao, who took home the title. Following him, his fellow countryman Qiwu Song finished in fourth—remarkably representing a nation with limited presence in the World Cup ski jumping circuit.

The Finnish team faces further challenges, with Niko Kytosaho, their top performer, unable to compete in this event. After the initial two events of the Summer Grand Prix held in Courchevel, the next stop for the athletes is Wisła, where competitions are set for September 14 and 15.

Thank you for following our coverage of this intriguing event!