Who runs a ski jumping competition?
A · Advanced · The start and officials · 5 of 5The jury, made up of the technical delegate, the chief of competition and the TD's assistant, runs the event. It sets the gate and wind limits and decides on interruptions, protests and sanctions by simple majority. Five licensed judges score style, and distance measurers mark the landings. Senior jumpers must be at least 16 in the calendar year.
How it works
- Jury: the TD, the chief of competition and the TD's assistant.
- Jury votes: open, simple majority; the chair breaks ties.
- Jury decides: gate, wind limits, interruptions, repeats, protests and sanctions.
- TD: from outside the host nation at major events.
- Judges: five, holding FIS licences.
- Distance measurers: along the slope, marking to the half metre.
- Minimum age: 16 by the end of the calendar year at the Olympics and World Cups.
- Juniors: up to 20 on 1 January.
The glossary has the jury, the Technical Delegate, the TD, the jumping judge, the distance measurer and the age classification.
Tricky cases
Can a jury member abstain?
No. Members must vote for or against, unless prevented by force majeure.
What happens to a judge who scores unfairly?
The Jumping Committee may reprimand them or suspend their licence.
Can a junior jump in senior events?
Yes, if their national association enters them and they have the skills.
Are there age groups at the Olympics?
No. All competitors start in one category.
Why the rule exists
A small jury can decide fast when the wind changes. A TD from outside the host nation guards against home bias.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics, World Cup | Competition management adds the FIS race director | ICR 402.2.1 |
| Continental and FIS Cup | Cup coordinator instead | ICR 402.2.2 |
| Olympics | One age category | ICR 406.2 |
From the rule book
FIS, The International Ski Competition Rules (ICR), Book III: Ski Jumping (edition June 2026), articles 402 to 404, 406 and 443. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIS ICR, revised by the FIS Council.