FIS Adjusts Women's Ski Suit Rules
Injuries Prompt Changes
Recently, three top female ski jumpers, Eva Pinkelnig, Alexandria Loutitt, and Haruka Kasai, suffered serious injuries during the Summer Grand Prix races in Predazzo. These injuries were linked to new suit regulations that made the suits tighter, affecting their performance and safety.
New Suit Regulations
The International Ski Federation (FIS) is making adjustments to the women's ski jumpers' suits. The new rules state that women's suits must be between 2 and 5 centimeters larger than their body measurements from the armpit to the knee. The sleeves will still need to be 2 to 4 centimeters larger than the arm circumference. This change aims to provide female athletes with more surface area during jumps, which can help them control their landings better.
Focus on Safety
Jernej Damjan, an athlete representative, believes these changes are necessary. He noted that while men adapted well to the previous suit rules, women faced challenges that led to dangerous landings. The new suit sizes should help women gain better control in the air, leading to safer landings and reducing injury risks. Damjan emphasized that these adjustments, although they may seem small, can significantly impact the athletes' performance and safety.
Implementation Timeline
The updated regulations will be officially adopted at the FIS board meeting on October 21. They will take effect during the Summer Grand Prix finale in Klingenthal, Germany, on October 25 and 26.
