“For men, a victory during qualifying brings in 3,000 francs. Here (editor’s note, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen), I received a bag with shower gel, shampoo and four towels. In an interview with the German television channel ARD, Selina Freitag denounced the unequal treatment between ski jumpers, who compete respectively in the Four Hills Tour and the Two Nights Tour.
The 23-year-old German then put things into perspective: “I don’t want to complain too much either, but we can still see the differences…” Her coach agrees: “Many things have, certainly, evolved positively in the vault on women’s skis in recent years. But women also want to make money. We should take a step in this direction,” summarizes Heinz Kuttin.
Former ski jumping star, Sven Hannawald is indignant: “Shower gel? This is obviously not worthy of an event like the Two Nights Tour. I don’t know why we let such things happen.” “We definitely have to think about it,” agrees Horst Hüttel, director of the German Ski Federation. As of now, there are no cash prizes during qualifying. The towel and shower gel are a little poorly chosen. It’s better not to give anything at all.”
Unlike the Four Hills Tour, the Two Nights Tour, initially known as the “Silvester Tour”, currently only has two stages. But the hope is that, quickly, it will increase to four. This year the competition took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (December 30-31) and Oberstdorf (January 1), Germany. The final victory went to Nika Prevc. By winning the first stage in front of 3,000 people, the 18-year-old Slovenian pocketed 4,300 francs. For the men, a victory during the Tour brings in 13,000 francs.
