Ski-jumping women fight for attention

Turbulence instead of revival: Swiss ski jumping is no longer flying at the same height as previous years. The men have been fighting since the start of the season to catch up at the World Cup. The women? Venture to the edge of fringe rungs. “Many don’t even know that ski jumping exists for women,” says sine Arnet.

The 17-year-old poses with Emely, who is a year older Torazza the young team that has to promote the sport at Swiss-Ski again on the female side.

Lately there has been a break in that regard. For four years, no Swiss name appeared in the Women’s World Cup. Before that it was sisters Sabrina and Bigna Windmills hold up the Swiss flag. Now they finally have two successors.

Arnet And Torazza both have indicated their potential. The first with podium places at the European Youth Olympic Games (EYOF) and in the Continental Cup, i.e. at the second highest level. Torazza also finished in the top 10 several times at the same level.

The Nordic World Championships Planica – Thursday the first mission on the normal hill (5 p.m.) follows – is still too early for both to be able to break the ropes. “The dream goal would be Arnet a top 20 result’, says her coach Roger Kamber. Bee Torazza the final qualification takes precedence.

At Swiss-Ski they want to build up the duo slowly but surely. The long-term goal is the Olympic Games in 2026. By then, ski jumping in Switzerland should not only be better off among men, but also attract more attention among women.

‘Suddenly a camera in the face’

The start has already been made with the first World Cup points of both starters this winter. But Arnet don’t want to hear about pressure at the highest level. The sporting student from Engelberg laughs: “Suddenly you have a camera on your face in the finish area. But I see it as a mega experience. It’s just fun for me.”

And also Torazzathe the ski school stems in Austria and caused a stir last summer with a terrible fall (see video), says: “I’m taking it one step at a time.” Coach Kamber adds that the ambitious athletes sometimes want too much: “Sometimes a little impatience can get through – at the moment it’s actually still about the process.” And that is anything but simple, admits Kamber: «The preconditions in Switzerland with the ski jumps in Einsiedeln or Kandersteg would be given. But now we have to see that we can achieve greater breadth.” How? With targeted promotion of young talent and many trial training sessions for young girls. And if possible with successes Arnet And Torazza.

Source : Blick