Biomechanics of Ski Jumping By: Denomy Productions

Preliminary Movements #5 Prior to taking off the skier prepares their own skis with hot wax and powders to optimize the speed on the in-run #1 The skier will position themselves at the top of the ramp in a balanced position with their knees bent to lower their mass and their weight evenly distributed over their skis

Force Production #2, #3, #4 The jumper will propel themselves down the ramp by extending their legs and hips to push off with skis #5 By forming a streamlined position and staying low in the tuck the skier can attain a speed of 90 km/hr on the in-run

Critical Instant #4 At the end of the in-run a skier can lose up to 50% of their jumping power if they are too slow to flex the fast twitch muscle fibres in their legs to ignite take off #2, #3 They must snap their skies upward and stretch their bodies long toward their ski tips. The jumpers use their leg power to propel them into an aerodynamic position to decrease resistance upon takeoff for the maximum thrust into the air. #1 Instability : they must lean forward to shift his centre of gravity ahead of themselves The right form will give him flight itself — lasting and exhilarating. The alternative is to ski down the ramp, drop off the edge and maintain an upright position while falling along the hill, as opposed to a proper take off that will result in a feeling of flying.

Follow Through - Flying Special Topics – Projectiles #1, #5 The skier will lean forward and form a V-shaped position with their skis. This allows the skier to work with the speed and the wind to utilize Bernoulli’s principle. Air will go slower over the top of the curved skis and faster underneath – resulting in LIFT! The V-shaped position allows for more lift from air currents flowing underneath the skis. The skier will stay airborne for roughly four to five seconds, never more than a few meters above the slope. Headwinds will lift and carry the skier, as headwinds help an airplane gain altitude. Crosswinds, because of their varying directions and speeds, can unsettle a ski jumper in the air. Tailwinds are the enemy! Style marks are given by judges for air travel and are more subjective. A panel of five judges evaluates the position of the skis and body as well as balance in the air. Special Topics – Projectiles #1, #5 The skier will lean forward and form a V-shaped position with their skis. This allows the skier to work with the speed and the wind to utilize Bernoulli’s principle. Air will go slower over the top of the curved skis and faster underneath – resulting in LIFT! The V-shaped position allows for more lift from air currents flowing underneath the skis. The skier will stay airborne for roughly four to five seconds, never more than a few meters above the slope. Headwinds will lift and carry the skier, as headwinds help an airplane gain altitude. Crosswinds, because of their varying directions and speeds, can unsettle a ski jumper in the air. Tailwinds are the enemy! Style marks are given by judges for air travel and are more subjective. A panel of five judges evaluates the position of the skis and body as well as balance in the air.

Follow Through - Landing The K-point is the target area for the ski jumper. A jump to the K-point is worth 60 points, with additional points added or subtracted for each metre beyond or before this marker. Judges also score the landing form based on correction of errors and landing in the telemark position #1, #4 (absorbing the force) The telemark position is down on one knee, with one ski in front of the other and the arms stretched outward. The highest and lowest scores are discarded, giving the skier a maximum of 60 style marks to strive for.