Ski Jumping Weight Crisis: Maren Lundby Urges Disqualification for Low BMI Athletes

A Crisis in Ski Jumping

Maren Lundby, a well‐known ski jumping expert for NRK, is calling for a major rule change in the sport. With the world championship gold in Granåsen just a week away, Lundby warns that the competition is being overly influenced by weight considerations. According to her, the current regulations tie the maximum allowable ski length to an athlete’s BMI, where a BMI of 21 is the cutoff. However, due to the measurement method—standing with the feet 30 cm apart—jumpers actually record a BMI higher than their true value.

The Health and Performance Dilemma

Lundby explains that while many elite jumpers have talked about the negative effects of this weight focus, the reality is that lighter athletes benefit significantly from being allowed longer skis. For many competitors in the top tier, every extra kilogram can mean the difference between success and failure. The consequence is a dangerous cycle where athletes are pressured to lose weight, even if it undermines their health. Lundby’s proposal is clear: if an athlete’s BMI is below the threshold, they should be disqualified from using the full-length skis allocated by the rules. This, she believes, would reduce the unhealthy emphasis on weight and create a fairer playing field, ensuring that performance—and not weight manipulation—determines success.

Looking to the Future

By shifting the BMI threshold to a level that better reflects a healthy body mass, Lundby argues that fewer athletes will be forced to choose between competitive success and their overall well-being. As the sport struggles with recruitment and maintaining athlete health, rethinking the rules could help preserve the integrity and future of ski jumping.