Mika Jukkara is the new Ski Jumping equipment controller

The International Ski Federation FIS has appointed the successor of Ski Jumping equipment controller Sepp Gratzer. FIS Race Director Sandro Pertile announced today, that Finn Mika Jukkara will take over the important position of equipment controller for men's Ski Jumping.

With 57-year-old Finn Mika Jukkara, an experienced and, within the Ski Jumping community, a well-known and esteemed man will be the successor of Sepp Gratzer. We want to introduce the Finn:

Name: Mika Jukkara
Date of birth: July 30, 1963
Nationality: Finland (FIN)
Residence: City of Lahti (FIN)
Married to Paeivi

In his youth, Jukkara was a ski jumper himself and participated in domestic competitions in his home country of Finland.
Since 1990, Jukkara has been an official in domestic competitions in Finland, since 2004 he is also a Technical Delegate at international competitions since 2007 also in the World Cup.

Jukkara was the Chief of Competition in Lahti from 2007 to the Nordic World Championships in 2017. He has a huge amount of experience on the international Ski Jumping stage.

In addition, Mika Jukkara has years of professional experience. Since 2008, the Lahti-native is working as a product manager with Scania, in this position he is responsible for the technical sales support together with technical sales training and sustainability. Jukkara also had pedagogical training. 
And Mika Jukkara already has some experience when it comes to equipment control: Since 2010, the 57-year-old is carrying out the equipment control at competitions in Finland and he also trained others in this field, he is a true expert.

"I think that I can benefit from my education and my experience in my new job. I always try to stay positive, even in challenging situations. I believe in teamwork and that it will lead to the best results.
A lot of great work has been done over the years by my predecessor, Sepp Gratzer. Great progress has been made regarding the equipment control. However, this development has to continue and one of my main tasks in the first winter will be to further develop the equipment control towards the future. An important part will also be the communication with the teams and athletes. We need to keep in mind that the equipment control is part of the fairness and also the safety of the sport. We are heading towards an Olympic season and such an event is a challenge in and of itself", explains Jukkara.

"In my new role, I'm looking forward to participating in the development of Ski Jumping and to working with the Ski Jumping family. I'm looking forward to communicating with the teams and athletes and to working with all the Ski Jumping professionals", Jukkara concluded.

FIS Race Director Sandro Pertile is happy that the Lahti-native will be the new equipment controller:
"We had a few really good candidates for this job, in the end, we had to decide to choose one, and this is Mika.
Now we are extremely happy that we can welcome Mika to our team. He is one of the best Technical Delegates and everyone appreciates his international thinking and that he is always acting in a fair and correct way.
He has experience as an equipment controller in Finland and will be able to work on further developing our control system. During this summer, Sepp Gratzer will help to ensure a perfect transition and a transfer of knowledge. Mika's character as a team player and a communicator, his motivation, and the respect that all the teams and national associations have for him will be key to the success of his work", explains Pertile.