The seven-time world champion Katharina Schmid sees the sport of biathlon in Germany as a possible model for women’s ski jumping.
“The women are and have been so successful in the past and have equal rights. They have the competitions, they have the audience. In biathlon, I found that in recent years the women have been seen more than the men,” said Schmid in the “Winter Sports Podcast” of the “Sportschau”. “And I do believe that this is a goal for women’s ski jumping – that we can and want to get there.”
In her opinion, a milestone like the Four Hills Tournament for women is “overdue”. “We have made big steps and have achieved a lot in the last few years. But we are still missing something like a Four Hills Tournament, where all eyes are really on ski jumping, which is the highlight for men every winter,” complained Schmid.
The 29-year-old added: “I hope it really comes next year. I’m starting to stop hearing myself complain, I always say.”
As one of the top athletes in her sport, the Oberstdorf native sees herself as an important mouthpiece in the fight for more recognition. “I do believe that it is important that we are heard, that we are committed to this. I don’t know if it is always well received by everyone, but I try to advocate for it. If you are at the forefront, you are more likely to be heard. And I take advantage of that,” said Schmid.
FIS “the larger construction site” for women’s ski jumping
But the ski jumper also admitted to doubts. “We had the feeling from time to time that we weren’t being heard, that we didn’t want to be heard. That we could make ourselves strong, but that it wouldn’t help at all.”
Compared to the DSV, the world association FIS is “the bigger construction site,” said Schmid. “I know about our athlete spokesperson – now a former athlete spokesperson – Eva Pinkelnig, who said she sat in on the meetings. She was allowed to say something, but no one wanted to listen. She was interrupted, words were twisted.”
Pinkelnig “quite often left the meetings and wanted to stand up for us ladies, but then she said: Okay, I don’t think anyone was interested in what we wanted. She said she had prepared everything, but she could never say everything. And I find that hard. That’s crazy.”