FIS race director Sandro Pertile sees little chance of a women’s first Four Hills Tournament next winter. Among other things, the association is struggling with the competition venue in Innsbruck.
“I think we still need a little time. When the floodlights are in Innsbruck, it will be a completely different situation. Then we will be more flexible”said Pertile on Saturday in Bischofshofen. The floodlights on Bergisel should not be ready until 2025 at the earliest, but probably not until 2026.
Floodlights in Innsbruck as a condition for women’s tours
“Then we have longer days and can work with more flexibility”said Pertile. A lot will also depend on the meeting with the four ski clubs in the spring and the discussions with the FIS race director Chika Yoshida, who is responsible for women.
At least the German stations Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen have a strong interest in a women’s tour; most recently there was a “two hills tournament” there for the first time in reverse order. Austria, on the other hand, hesitates. “I understand the Austrian association saying that they need Hinzenbach and Villach. These facilities are important for the ÖSV, without the World Cup it would be difficult.”said Pertile.
How are the women’s and men’s competitions combined?
Ski jumpers like world champion Katharina Schmid recently said one “right one” For her, the tour would only be one in all four locations and in the same order as for the men. Pertile thinks this is possible. “It could be that the women have the competition on the men’s qualifying day”he said.
The 2028 Ski Flying World Championships “is also too early”
Pertile doesn’t yet see a women’s ski flying world championship on the horizon. “This year there will be the first Ski Flying World Cup with 20 jumpers. I think you have to go step by step. We have Planica’s candidacy for 2028, but realistically I think that is too early”he said.