A highly specialized and spectacular event, the skis used in these events are made of wood, fiberglass and epoxy. Skiers are judged on the form of their jumps once they reach the end of the approach, where they spring outward and upward. Once in flight, they keep their bodies parallel to their skis. The skiers' knees and hips absorb the shock of the landing. Skiers are often not more than 10 feet in the air during the jump, as their flight curve follows that of the hill.
Participants earn points based on distance and form.
Teams of four jumpers compete in two rounds after which the top three scores are combined to determine the total team score. The individual event of the Nordic combined features a jump from the normal hill and a 15km cross-country race. KRT Graphic 1. Skiers glide down the ramps with body leaning slightly forward. The instant that skiers are airborne, they move thighs forward and keep their skis flat.