What is wind compensation in ski jumping?
B · Beginner · Scoring · 4 of 4The jury chooses the start gate, which sets the in-run length and speed. Where the wind and gate compensation system is used, points are added or taken off for the wind and for the gate, and included in the total. The jury may then change the gate during a round. A coach may lower their own jumper's gate.
How it works
- Start gate: set by the jury; no jumper may start from higher.
- Mid-round change: allowed when the compensation system is in place.
- Compensation: wind and gate factors are added to the total score.
- Coach's choice: a coach may lower the gate for their own jumper, during the red phase.
- Coach's gate credit: only if the jumper reaches 95 per cent of the hill size.
- Wind gauges: at the take-off and about halfway and at the K point.
- Wind flags: at least eight a side along the landing slope.
- Wind limits: the jury decides in which wind a jumper may start.
The glossary has the wind compensation, the gate compensation, the in-run speed, the wind window, the start signal and the jury.
Tricky cases
A coach lowers the gate but the jumper lands short. Any bonus?
No. The gate credit counts only if the jumper reaches 95 per cent of the hill size.
Can a jumper choose a higher gate for more speed?
No. No one may use a longer in-run than the jury allows.
Are the compensation values in the ICR?
No. The ICR says only that the factor is added to the score; the values are in a separate FIS document.
Can a jumper protest the start in changing wind?
No. Protests about the start control in variable wind are not allowed.
Why the rule exists
Wind can add or remove many metres, so compensation narrows the luck of conditions. Letting the jury move the gate mid-round keeps jumps safe without restarting the round.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| With compensation | Gate may change mid-round | ICR 422.1 |
| Without compensation | Round restarted to change the gate | ICR 402.1.2.1 |
| Coach's request | 95 per cent of HS for the credit | ICR 422.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, The International Ski Competition Rules (ICR), Book III: Ski Jumping (edition June 2026), articles 402.1.2, 415.3, 422.1 and 442.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the FIS ICR, revised by the FIS Council.