Women's Four Hills Tournament Becomes Reality

The Women's Four Hills Tournament will be implemented from the 2026/27 season. This was announced by the organizing committee based in Oberstdorf on Tuesday. This is made possible because, according to the announcement, the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) and the state of Tyrol have agreed on financing a floodlight system at the Bergisel Stadium in Innsbruck. The female ski jumpers will compete in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, and Bischofshofen on the men's qualification day.

"Fantastic News"

"These are fantastic news and exactly the signal we have been waiting for so long. This will make the 75th Four Hills Tournament 2026/27 go down in history. Great that this last question mark has now been eliminated. Many thanks to everyone who made this possible," said Tournament President Manfred Schützenhofer (Ski Club Bischofshofen) in the announcement. Austria's women's head coach Thomas Diethart said on ORF: "The prospect of a Four Hills Tournament for women is very cool. An important step for us, it enhances women's ski jumping once again."

According to the organizers, those responsible, including FIS Race Director Sandro Pertile and the local organizing committees, would have more leeway for integrating the women's competitions into the tournament program with four floodlit tournament hills. Pertile, who was in Falun for the men's events, was optimistic but wanted to wait for the official confirmations from the ÖSV and the German Ski Association (DSV).

"About Time"

"In principle, we are extremely happy about yesterday's decision. That was the first important step," said Pertile in an ORF interview. "It certainly looks good," the Italian continued. It is "about time" that women could also jump in a Four Hills Tournament. That the jumps take place on the men's qualification day is a "realistic format," said Pertile.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.