Germans React: "Totally Absurd!" Anger Over New Ski Jumping Rule

There is great anger among the German ski jumpers regarding a new rule announced by the FIS that will see stricter penalties for landing errors starting in the upcoming season. Markus Eisenbichler, the 2019 World Champion, expressed his frustration, stating that it is 'totally absurd' that a poorly executed landing could overshadow a successful jump.

In an interview with Bild, Eisenbichler elaborated that if an athlete manages to jump far but messes up the take-off, they would not make it to the podium, which he deems unfair.

He received support from his teammate Karl Geiger, who pointed out that they are not competing in disciplines like figure skating or dressage, insisting that the best and farthest jump should decide the winner. There is a clear sentiment among many athletes that the new regulations might complicate the sport further, making landing a significant and potentially detrimental factor in determining outcomes.