Not taking part in Planica

Ski jumping protest: “We are being trampled on”

Silje Opseth (left) and Eirin Maria Kvandal will not be jumping in Planica.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Ski jumping world record holder Silje Opseth has announced that she will not be taking part in the World Cup final in Planica in protest. Her Norwegian compatriot and Raw Air winner Eirin Marie Kvandal will also not be taking part in Slovenia. In doing so, they want to draw attention to the prevailing unequal treatment. The female ski jumpers are being trampled on. 

"We are actually being trampled on, we don't have much value," Opseth complained to "Dagbladet". While the men in Planica are allowed to compete in three competitions on the large hill, the women are fobbed off with one jump on the normal hill.

"The boys get to ski fly and do the coolest thing in the world, and we're next to them on the smallest hill. I have to say, it's really disappointing," said the Norwegian, expressing her displeasure.

Kvandal will not start either
Tens of thousands of fans are expected in Planica at the end of the ski jumping season. The women only have one appearance, on Thursday, immediately after the men's qualification. In addition to Opseth, her compatriot Kvandal will also not be competing in protest.

The women's season finale had actually been planned for Vikersund. However, a canceled competition is now to be made up for in Planica. The Slovenian Nika Prevc is the winner of the overall World Cup.