Admin l Friday, December 30, 2022
BERLIN – German ski jumping sports director Horst Hüttel has criticised the postponement of a women’s Four Hills Tournament until at least 2024-25 as an “absolute injustice.”
Hüttel told Friday’s Bild paper that “a huge opportunity has been missed” towards gender equality in the sport.
“Every year without a women’s Four Hills tournament being staged is a lost year. Performance has improved steadily. The TV ratings, with a market share of more than 20% at times, speak for themselves.”
The 71st edition of the men’s Four Hills started on Thursday in Oberstdorf, Germany. The other stops are Garmisch-Partenkrichen, Germany, as well as Innsbruck and Bischofshofen in Austria.
The women meanwhile have a much smaller New Year’s Tour with two competitions each in Villach, Austria, and Ljubno, Slovenia.
The women’s Four Hills was originally to debut next season 2023-24.
But while the German Ski Federation (DSV) said that Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen would be ready, Austrian ÖSV president Roswitha Stadlober said recently it would not start until 2024-25.
