before the games he declared war on almost the whole world of skijumping. The former Polish national team coach was boiling with anger and demanded action from the equipment controller, Mika Jukkara.
Horngacher protested this weekend alone, and also led to. We hear from various teams that in Willingen they are disgusted with the actions of the Austrian.
He speaks eloquently about the whole matter, who had excellent relations with Horngacher in Poland. It was even said that they were friends. – Everyone can see what’s going on. But for me, this is a closed topic, since we can achieve success ourselves. Now we are only focusing on this – Doleżal told us briefly. – For me, the biggest surprise in the whole thing is that Horngacher turned against the former team headed by Doleżal and Stoch – Werner Schuster, the former coach of German jumpers, assessed for Sport.pl.
Leaps are at risk of embarrassment. Everyone is fed up
The actions of the Germans may have consequences at the Olympics, because not only are they shocked by the Austrian’s behavior. We hear that practically all teams have started to assemble “hooks” that can be used at the Olympics. Especially that not only Poles suffered. Horngacher also declared war on jumpers who use Slatnar skis. We hear that the Austrian demanded that the competition be canceled and all skis measured. Mika Jukkara tells us that the ski measurement will take place, but before the first competition in Beijing.
However, the Germans cannot sleep well either. The new bindings seem to be the most suspicious. They have been developing them from the beginning of the season – it’s about a more “open” space in their front fastening. However, the team of Stefan Horngacher pulled out a completely new element of the front bindings during the World Cup competition in Willingen. This is an element created for them by one of the Berlin research institutes.
The Poles submitted an inquiry to the FiS on this matter – not yet as an official protest – but not only. The actions of the Germans also do not like the Slovenian equipment manufacturer Peter Slatnar.
New binding front used by German ski jumpers Screen Eurosport Player
Slovenes are thundering about Horngacher. “It’s not acceptable”
Slatnar claims that neither the bindings used from the beginning of the season nor the element pulled by the Germans in Willingen were reported to the FIS on time – that is, until May 1 before the season in which they are to be used. Sandro Pertile was to inform him that the bindings were checked by the FIS in Garmisch-Partenkirchen later. According to Slatnar, against the rules of the federation. – It’s unacceptable. One thousand percent! – convinces the Slovene and adds that the Italian has promised to send documents confirming the compliance of the bindings with the requirements. To this day, Slatnar has not received an answer. And let us remind you that the main objection of the equipment controller at the World Cup competition, Mika Jukkara, against the new model of Polish shoes is the issue of not reporting them to the equipment commission. So why does he turn a blind eye to the bindings of German jumpers?
Slatnar also has an interest in this. During the FIS, he banned the bindings of his production, which were used by the Slovenes who were doing this season excellently. However, they did not give him a specific reason. The manufacturer withdrew this model, but interestingly, the results of the jumpers who used them did not deteriorate at all. Robert Hrgota’s team won in Zakopane, and
Another element that may cause controversy is the modification in the Rass shoes used, for example, by Karl Geiger. It is about Velcro fasteners that are routed in a rather unprecedented way – inside the shoe. The Polish staff saw an innovative solution in this, which would already be a similar change to that used by Poles in the new model of Nagaba shoes. Similar in terms of the size of the changes, and they were the most unacceptable to the protesters and Miki Jukkara who agreed with them. The same shoes as Geiger are also used by Ryoyu Kobayashi, so if these were banned, it would be logical for the Japanese not to wear them either.
. However, you can hear voices from everywhere that both the Germans and Slovenes could also modify Rass’s shoes so that the sole was replaced. – It’s even worse, because it can endanger safety – one of the coaches tells us.
Rass shoes with a new fastening method from Karl Geiger Screen Eurosport Player
There are also rumors that Rassy may have even greater difference in wall thickness than Polish Nagaba shoes, and this is one of the charges against our “forbidden” shoes. It turns out, however, that Jukkara did not check this item and admitted to us that he will do so soon.
Poles were banned once, but the Germans can use them. Tajner furious
The Poles took a closer look at the binding overlays used by the Horngacher team. Why? Because it’s a solution that they were going to use themselves once, but it was rejected. The overlays were reported to the FIS when Sepp Gratzer was still the hardware controller.
Back then, there was a belief that the whole thing should be aerodynamic, as in the case of Slatnar bindings. There should be no depressions or grooves that make the binding more aerodynamic and to some extent reduce air resistance.
Now when the Poles noticed them among their rivals, they were very surprised. And they asked in the FIS where the consent for their use came from. Jukkara’s answer was unclear. According to our information, he was to tell the coaches that he had a different understanding of the rules, which were also analyzed by Gratzer, and according to him, the overlays could be allowed to compete. And they don’t have to be previously reported to the FIS.
Why? – There is actually no definition that the mates should be oval. We checked all the bindings. And one of them must not be used, and it will also be the subject of the Committee in the spring. The Nagaba shoes also have an extra cover which is fine. The shoe itself does not have any aerodynamic benefits, but its new shape allows the jumper to adjust the suit in such a way, especially in take-off control, that this has a beneficial effect on the suit’s aerodynamics. If this shape is allowed, the next revision of the rules will go in that direction. That is why we have to analyze this new version also within the FIS subcommittee on equipment – Mikka Jukkara defends himself and counters the issue of Polish shoes.
The president of the Polish Ski Association also spoke about the overlays. – The Germans are also looking for improvements in equipment, modifications and no one raises protests and tells the FIS that something needs to be investigated because something is wrong. And here there is confusion and it is not fair – he pointed out.
Possible Polish response to Horngacher’s protests. Jukkara is not “sovereign”
Will there be an official Polish response to Stefan Horngacher’s protests? It is getting closer and closer. The actions of the Austrian, but also of several other staff members of the World Cup cadres, mean that the competition of jumpers at the Olympic Games will not be based only on sports. She has become extremely unclean. – Over the years, there have been many improvements to the equipment in the Olympic seasons. Always something comes out right before the competition. But I do not remember such chaos – tells us Peter Slatnar.
There is an opinion in the community that Jukkara is not “sovereign”, he is under pressure from Stefan Horngacher and the regulations are too complicated for him at times. The Finn did not manage to control the hardware improvements of the best national teams throughout the season.
The director’s passivity, i.e. Sandro Pertile, also plays a significant role here. The result may be skewed results at the Olympics, for which we can wait much longer than the end of the competitions. At this point, no one can rule out a disqualification in Beijing. Something that is usually avoided by working before the first jump.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
