Ski Jumping Rules Explained — Winter Olympics 2026

Ski jumping is one of the most dramatic and technically demanding events at the Winter Olympics. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Games in Italy, elite jumpers from around the world will soar off giant ramps trying to fly as far and as beautifully as possible — and the way the sport is scored might surprise casual viewers.

📌 Event Format

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, ski jumping will feature six medal events:

• Men’s Normal Hill Individual

• Men’s Large Hill Individual

• Men’s Super Team

• Women’s Normal Hill Individual

• Women’s Large Hill Individual (making its Olympic debut)

• Mixed Team (two men + two women per team)

Each athlete performs two scored jumps in individual competitions (after a qualification round), and the total of those two jumps determines their final ranking. In team events, combined scores from each team member decide medal order.

🎯 Objective of the Sport

The essence of ski jumping is simple but exacting: athletes seek to gain the highest total score by flying as far as they can and demonstrating top-level technique and style. It’s not just about distance; how the jump looks and lands also matters.

🪂 How Jumping is Scored

A ski jump’s score combines four major components:

1. Distance Points

Each hill has a K-point — a target distance marked on the landing slope. Jumpers earn:

• ~60 points for landing on the K-point

• More points if they land beyond

• Fewer points if they fall short

The farther a jumper lands past the K-point, the more distance points they collect.

2. Style Points

A panel of five judges watches each jump closely for:

• body position in flight

• balance

• quality of landing and exit

Each judge awards up to 20 style points. The top and bottom judge scores are discarded, and the middle three scores are added together for the final style total.

A perfect telemark landing — with one foot in front of the other and knees slightly bent — is among the technical elements rewarded by judges.

3. Wind Compensation

Strong winds can help or hinder jumpers. To keep scoring fair:

• Points are added if wind conditions are unfavorable

• Points are subtracted if wind gives an advantage

This wind compensation ensures athletes aren’t unfairly penalized or rewarded by mother nature.

4. Gate Compensation

If officials change the starting gate (the height from which jumpers begin their run),
points are added or subtracted to balance the advantage/disadvantage.

👕 Equipment & Suit Rules

Ski jumping outfits are rigorously regulated because suit size and fit can affect aerodynamic lift:

• Skis must be no longer than 145 % of the jumper’s height (with minimum BMI rules applied)

• Body and suit measurements are checked by officials to meet strict standards

• Suit rules were tightened ahead of the 2026 Games following previous controversies involving illegal suit modifications.

📅 Competition Structure

For most individual events:

1. Qualification Round — All jumpers attempt to qualify for finals

2. First Round of Final — Each athlete jumps once

3. Final Round — Top 30 from the first jump get a second jump

4. Total Score — Scores from both jumps added together decide medals

Team and mixed competitions follow similar multi-round formats, with the emphasis on combined team totals.

🏆 What Makes a Great Jump?

A top-scoring ski jump blends:
✔ Maximum distance
✔ Excellent body control and style
✔ Smooth, controlled landing
✔ Success despite changing wind and gate conditions

Every fraction of a point matters — the tiny margins often decide podium placements.

🔥 Final Takeaway

Ski jumping isn’t just about how far an athlete flies; it’s a finely judged, highly technical sport where distance, form, wind and equipment regulations all influence the final score. At the 2026 Winter Olympics, fans can enjoy one of winter sports’ oldest and most thrilling competitions with a deeper understanding of how champions are crowned.