Sport explainer: How to save seconds on a jump

The jump, always spectacular and sometimes terrifying, is an integral part of downhill skiing. Some fear it, others tame it and use it to go even faster. The goal of this video is show how and why succeeding with a jump can save precious tenths of a second for those who can master it.

The downhill course at Wengen, one of the most demanding of the whole winter, offers several jumps. One of the most famous is the legendary Dog's Head. This spectacular jump, made between two rocky outcrops, leaves nothing to chance.

The approach, take-off and, finally, landing or reception are the three phases of a jump.

Time can be gained if the skier executes a short, cushioned jump. The timing of the cushioning is paramount. The best skiers can save almost two tenths of a second this way. If the timing is off the jump will be too long and too high. For the jump to be short and successful, the skier must land where the gradient of the slope changes. Equal pressure on both, level, skis just before losing contact with the snow results in a stable take-off. Once in the air the skier should actively turn their shoulders towards the slope to help keep their skis parallel to it. The difference between an excellent and an average jumper is all about aerodynamic positioning. The best can sometimes make up almost seven hundredths of a second during take-off.

To finish, both skis should hit the ground level and together. It is obviously important to re-establish contact with the snow as soon as possible. Anticipating an aerodynamic position as soon as the skis touch the snow is an integral part of a jump. It allows the skier to take up a high speed position and lets their cardiac activity return, almost, to normal.