Jumpers fear for their health: Shocking response from the World Cup chief: Maybe play ping-pong?

"If athletes cannot accept that conditions vary, maybe they should change sports and start playing ping-pong," said Sandro Pertile, director of the Ski Jumping World Cup, during a conversation with NRK. This comment was in response to Norwegian jumpers' accusations that the Saturday competition in Ruka should not have taken place due to dangerous weather conditions. Robert Johansson was one of the most vocal critics, stating that the organizers are playing with the health of the athletes.

The competitions in Ruka have a history of being plagued by very unpredictable conditions. Notably, the organizers had to cancel Friday's training and qualification rounds due to high winds. On Saturday, while conditions improved slightly, they remained challenging, forcing multiple interruptions during both training and the competition itself. Despite these obstacles, the event concluded, with Pius Paschke securing another victory.

"I see these words primarily as frustration. It’s part of the sport and I accept that," remarked Pertile regarding the criticism received. Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal, who finished fourth, also acknowledged the dangerous conditions, emphasizing the need for better safety during the jumps. Meanwhile, the second competition in Ruka is scheduled to begin shortly, with several Polish competitors set to participate.