Ski Jumpers Aim to Maximize Physics for Olympic Glory

A scandal over alleged genital enhancements highlights the complex science behind ski jumping distances.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A scandal dubbed 'Penisgate' has emerged ahead of the Winter Olympics, with allegations that some ski jumpers may have artificially enlarged their crotch area to gain a competitive edge. While no athletes have been implicated, the affair highlights the intriguing physics behind ski jumping and how even minor suit adjustments can impact jump lengths. Experts explain that factors like air resistance, launch angle, and the signature 'V' jumping style all play a crucial role in determining how far ski jumpers can fly.

Why it matters

The 'Penisgate' scandal has drawn attention to the highly technical and scientific nature of ski jumping, a sport where even small changes to an athlete's suit can provide a meaningful competitive advantage. Understanding the physics behind ski jumping is important for both athletes and regulators as they work to ensure fair and ethical competition.

The details

According to rules from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), ski jumpers' suits are precisely tailored to their bodies, with measurements like 'crotch height' taken by laser. Experts say that even a slight increase in suit surface area around the crotch could provide a small boost in lift and jump distance, potentially making the difference between gold and silver. Research has suggested that an extra 1 cm of suit material at the crotch could increase jump length by up to 4 meters. In a recent incident, Norwegian ski jumping officials were temporarily banned after altering athletes' suits with extra crotch stitching.

  • In January, before the 'Penisgate' scandal went viral, several officials from Norway's ski jumping team were temporarily banned from competition after altering athletes' suits with extra crotch stitching at last year's Nordic World Ski Championships.
  • The 'Penisgate' allegations first surfaced in reports from a German media outlet ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The players

Lasse Ottesen

A former Olympic ski jumper who is now the race director for the Nordic Combined event at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

Amy Pope

A principal lecturer in physics and astronomy at Clemson University who explains the physics behind ski jumping.

Philip Langill

An associate professor in the department of physics at the University of Calgary who discusses the ideal launch angle for ski jumpers.

International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS)

The body that regulates ski jumping and is working to refine regulations around suit measurements.

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What they’re saying

“It has a huge impact.”

— Lasse Ottesen, Former Olympic ski jumper and current race director for the Nordic Combined event at FIS (Scientific American)

“That incident went 'way beyond what we have ever seen before.'”

— Lasse Ottesen, Former Olympic ski jumper and current race director for the Nordic Combined event at FIS (Scientific American)

“All of a sudden, we were jumping a lot farther than we used to, and we were crashing more.”

— Lasse Ottesen, Former Olympic ski jumper and current race director for the Nordic Combined event at FIS (Scientific American)

What’s next

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is working to refine ski jumping regulations to ensure all athletes are measured accurately and fairly.

The takeaway

The 'Penisgate' scandal has highlighted the highly technical and scientific nature of ski jumping, where even minor adjustments to an athlete's suit can provide a meaningful competitive advantage. As the Winter Olympics approach, regulators and athletes will need to carefully balance innovation and fairness to ensure the integrity of the sport.