Things are in Chaos in the World of Ski Jumping – Norwegian Shocked by Adam Małysz’s Opinion

Ski Jumping in Transition

The world of ski jumping is experiencing upheaval as the International Ski Federation (FIS) plans to unify the men’s and women’s World Cup calendars starting with the 2026/27 season. The move, which is meant to promote the sport—especially the women’s events—and reduce some costs, has sparked heated debate.

Former Polish ski jumper Adam Małysz was one of the first to sound the alarm. He argued that combining the schedules and having both genders jump on the same hills on the same day would not boost interest, but rather cause an oversaturation of events. Małysz’s stark criticism—summed up with his exclamation, "Not the way!"—has resonated with some, while others believe it misses the mark.

Norwegian ski jumping director Jan-Erik Aalbu, speaking to Dagbladet, countered Małysz’s concerns by comparing the proposed changes to a 20-year regression. Aalbu dismissed the criticism and stressed that the new integrated calendar would modernize the sport. In support of the initiative, World Cup director Sandro Pertile explained during Forum Nordicum in Bad Mitterndorf that the merging of schedules is expected to increase media attention for women’s events and bring financial benefits.

The proposal faces resistance from several countries, including Austria, Japan, and Slovenia, who fear that longstanding host venues like Hinzenbach, Ljubno, and Zao might be sidelined in the new format. Despite these concerns, Norwegian officials are prepared to express their firm stance at the FIS spring conference following the current season.