After just one year as an FIS equipment controller for ski jumpers, it’s already over. The controversial Finn Mika Jukkara is resigning from his post at his own request.
In a statement published by the FIS, Jukkara described the past ski jumping winter as “a season full of emotions and challenges”. Personal reasons were decisive for his premature departure from the world association.
“We have made many changes in the rules regarding equipment and measurements in cooperation with my colleagues, the FIS committees and the teams. It was a big step and I firmly believe that these changes will make our sport even stronger, more transparent and more valuable will do,” Jukkara summed up.
Involvement in Olympic farce remains unclear
But the Finn’s public perception has rarely been as positive as Jukkara’s portrayal of his work over the past year. The controversial mixed competition at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing was particularly memorable.
Five athletes from four nations were disqualified because of faulty suits. The top nations Norway, Austria, Germany and Japan therefore had no chance of Olympic medals.
Jukkara subsequently defended himself against allegations that he carried out the controls more strictly than usual. After all, he only checked the men’s suits in that scandalous competition. The question of guilt has not been completely clarified to this day, a bland aftertaste remains in any case.
“Shoe War” is heating up the ski jumping world
Jukkara’s involvement in last winter’s much-discussed “shoe war” is clearer. After the World Cup competition in Willingen, the German national coach Stefan Horngacher protested against the shoes of the Polish jumpers Piotr Zyla and Stefan Hula. Equipment controller Jukkara agreed, the Poles were disqualified.
Christian Kathol now follows the Finn. After Sepp Gratzer, he is the second Austrian to hold this position. Kathol has been a judge at the FIS since 2005. “I am very honored to have the opportunity to work as an equipment controller in the Ski Jumping World Cup,” he said.