Ski Jumping Scoring: Distance + Style Points

Ski Jumping Scoring System: Distance, Style, and Compensation

Ski jumping scoring is a three-part formula designed to reward athletes who fly the farthest, land the cleanest, and manage the conditions they’re given. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) maintains a system that has grown more sophisticated over the decades, adding wind and gate compensation to what was once a simple distance-plus-style calculation.

Part 1: Distance Points

Every ski jumping hill has a K-point (construction point) — the target landing distance based on the hill’s engineering:

• Normal hill: K = 90–95 meters. Landing on the K-point earns 60 distance points.
• Large hill: K = 120–130 meters. Landing on the K-point earns 120 distance points.

Each meter beyond the K-point adds a set number of points:

• Normal hill: +2.0 points/meter.
• Large hill: +1.8 points/meter.

Each meter short of the K-point subtracts the same amount.

Example: on a large hill (K = 125 m), a jumper landing at 135 m earns 120 + (10 × 1.8) = 138.0 distance points.

Part 2: Style Points

Five judges evaluate each jump on a 0–20 scale, judging:

• In-run position: stable, aerodynamic crouch.
• Takeoff: powerful, well-timed launch.
• Flight position: proper V-style, forward lean, arm placement.
• Landing: the telemark (one foot forward, one back, arms spread). This is the most heavily weighted criterion.
• Outrun: stable skiing after landing.

The highest and lowest judge scores are dropped. The remaining three are summed.

Maximum style points: 60 (three perfect 20s). Typical range: 45–55 for competitive jumps.

A fall on landing typically reduces each judge’s score to 3–7 (out of 20), producing a devastating style total of 10–20.

Part 3: Wind and Gate Compensation

Wind compensation: wind speed and direction are measured continuously during each jump. FIS calculates compensation points using a formula based on the hill’s profile:

• Headwind (favorable — provides lift): negative compensation (points deducted).
• Tailwind (unfavorable — pushes jumper down): positive compensation (points added).

The compensation values are specific to each hill. A typical headwind of 1 m/s might cost a jumper 7–10 points on a large hill.

Gate compensation: if the jury changes the starting gate between jumpers (lowering it for safety due to wind), the affected jumper receives compensation points. Higher gate (longer in-run) = points subtracted. Lower gate (shorter in-run) = points added.

Total Score

Jump Score = Distance Points + Style Points ± Wind Compensation ± Gate Compensation

For competitions with two rounds, the two jump scores are added for the final total.

Practical Example: Beijing 2022 Normal Hill

Ryōyū Kobayashi won with a combined score of 275.0 points over two jumps:

• Jump 1: 99.5 m landing, strong telemark, favorable wind → ~137 points.
• Jump 2: 99.5 m again, clean landing → ~138 points.

His consistent distance and clean style across both jumps, combined with manageable wind compensation, produced a decisive victory.

Team Event Scoring

In team events, each of the four jumpers takes two jumps (or one in some formats). All individual jump scores are summed for the team total. Wind and gate compensation apply to each individual jump. A single bad jump from one team member can be offset by excellent performances from the others.