Ski Jumping - Winter - World Cup? On track!

The winter season for the ski jumpers starts in less than two months, and, as of today, it's looking good for the competitions of Stefan Kraft, Kamil Stoch, Karl Geiger, and Co. The planning is in full swing and of course, the main issue, also for the ski jumpers, is Covid-19. But so far the calendar remains unchanged with no cancellations.

"The Grand Prix competitions in Wisla (POL) this summer were extremely important for us. We were able to text a lot of things and we saw that it works very well with clear guidance and rules and everyone abides by them. That was the case in Wisla and we will also implement that during the course of the entire winter", explains the new FIS Race Director Sandro Pertile of Italy.

What remains unknown, probably until the winter, are possible travel restrictions for athletes, teams, and officials. Who will be able to go where and when and who might have to quarantine after returning home?

In order to adjust to the new situation, the FIS has adapted its rules and regulations for all the disciplines. 
7 of the Top 10 nations must be able to travel to a competition, resp. to the hosting country, without a necessary quarantine after entering or leaving the country. 
This issue will be reviewed by the organizers in cooperation with the FIS 30 days before the team captains meeting.

That's why the teams of Japan, the USA, and Canada are planning to spend the entire winter in Europe (with the exception of the competitions in Sapporo and Beijing), in order to avoid a possible quarantine after returning home, for example over Christmas.

"The most difficult destinations for us will definitely by the competitions in Russia (Nizhny Tagil) on December 5th and 6th and the events in Japan (Sapporo) and China (Beijing) mid-February. That's why we are considering taking the trips with charter flights in order to keep the group close together and to make it easier to comply with the travel regulations. The teams would also be able to use it for training in Russia - before the Ski Flying World Championships - and on the Olympic hills in Beijing", said Pertile, who took over the position of Race Director from Austrian Walter Hofer at a very difficult time.

"Despite the complex issues at hand, the spirit among the teams and officials is really good and we are looking forward to the competitions. We know, that it's entirely in our own hands. The restrictions of the national and local authorities are key, we will do our part to abide by them as always act responsibly as individuals and as a group", Pertile concluded.

Spectators at the hill? from 0 - 100 %
The competitions will take place, but the situation regarding spectators at the hills remains unclear. The organizers in Ruka (FIN), where the competitions will be held on November 28th and 29th, have already announced that due to the national restrictions, spectators will not be allowed at the event at the Polar Circle.

Other organizers are thinking about events without fans as well, the national and local public health authorities will have to decide in the end. And nobody knows what the guidance will be three or four months from now.

The ticket sale for the opening event of the 4-Hills-Tournament in Oberstdorf has already started, but only a limited number of tickets will be available. In Zakopane, the organizers are planning to build special stands that allow for social distancing between the seats.