FIS promises: Women and men will jump on the same hill by 2026-27

FIS promises: Women and men will jump on the same hill by 2026-27 - Eurosport

The World Cup schedule for ski jumping men and women will be merged following the Winter Olympics.

Sebastian Østvold during the National Championship in normal hill jumping at Midtstuen in Oslo.

Photo: NTB

The goal is to combine the events for men and women as soon as possible, said Pertile from the International Ski Federation (FIS) before Monday's finals of the Four Hills Tournament.

He further explained that they have been working on a clear plan since the spring. However, he acknowledged that implementing this plan is easier said than done.

"The clear goal is that the women's and men's competitions will be combined by the 2026-27 season," said Pertile.

Pertile explained that the 2025-26 season will serve as a transition period, which is also related to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026.

Women have fought for equal rights for years but often compete in smaller normal hills with limited audience size.

This season features the second edition of the women’s two-day tournament in the two German Four Hills venues: Garmisch-Partenkirchen on New Year’s Eve and Oberstdorf on New Year’s Day.

The attendance at both locations was relatively low, with Garmisch only attracting 3,000 spectators after 10,000 were present an hour earlier for the men's qualification round for the Four Hills Tournament.

(©NTB)