Two Nights Tour: A Leap Towards Equality for Female Ski Jumpers

Two Nights Tour: A Leap Towards Equality for Female Ski Jumpers

The French skier Josephine Pagnier finished seventh in this new event. (Hafner/nordphoto GmbH/Picture Alliance/Icon Sport)

For the first time, female ski jumpers competed in the Two Nights Tour, a female equivalent of the famed Four Hills Tournament. This marks a new step towards parity in the sport.

The competition aimed to be a mini-version of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament. For over seventy years, men have had this significant event, while women have long remained in its shadow, fighting for their own flagship competition.

"It's a step forward. But we need to keep pushing for more," said world champion ski jumper Alexandria Loutitt, who wasn’t alone in voicing this sentiment during the inaugural Two Nights Tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen last Saturday.

The event is meant to be a female counterpart to the prestigious Four Hills Tournament, contested over four legs in Germany and Austria, requiring coordination among several organizing committees and two national federations. These groups have historically struggled to agree on a format for women, resulting in this German half-tour.

Beyond logistical issues, existing contracts (with another Austrian city, Villach, hosting a women's World Cup event in early January) have also complicated matters. The Four Hills Tournament is seen as a product that needs to satisfy spectators, sponsors, and broadcasters, which typically results in male athletes getting more revenue, promotion, and exposure.

"That’s why the events after Christmas and New Year’s are crucial for us, as they garner attention on winter sports. We simply want to have the same chances as the men,” noted Katharina Schmid, the two-time Olympic vice-champion in 2018 and 2022.

In Garmisch, the contrast was glaring. For the women’s final, 3,500 curious spectators attended, while the next day 8,000 turned out for the qualifying rounds for men. Nevertheless, for many athletes, the experience itself was memorable. For the emerging French star, Josephine Pagnier, it was emotionally significant to compete at such a historic site.

The event was remarked by Eva Pinkelnig, last season's crystal globe winner, as a "great rehearsal" with hopes that the two remaining events, in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen, will soon follow to create a complete tour for women. "The sport deserves this opportunity next year," she emphasized.

Women’s ski jumping has made enormous strides in a short time. The first World Championships were held in 2009, followed by the first World Cup in 2011, and the inaugural Olympics in 2014. Will parity with the men come soon? "Very slowly!" Pagnier noted with a smile. "But we will get there eventually."