There was quite a disparity between the what was awarded to male vs female ski jumpers who won in a qualifying event at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany and its evident when you look at the take home prizes. Men received 3000 francs for winning the qualifying round and woman got shower cream, shampoo and four towels.
Sports News BZ spoke with Horst Hüttel, sports director at the German Ski Association (DSV) who recognizes the towels and toiletries were a slap in the face compared to what the men’s bonus, “We definitely have to think about it. As things stand, there is no prize money for qualifying. Towel and shower gel are a bit of an unfortunate choice. It would be wiser not to give anything at all.”
The measly bonus is reminiscent of the award presented to the 1989 German women’s soccer team who won the European Championship title and were given a coffee set. Officials announced that they would like to address this issue with the organizing committees.
Katharina Schmid, Germany’s best and most successful female jumper and has been one of the most outspoken advocates of equal rights on the world’s ski jumps for years. The pictures of the many empty stands on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day must not have pleased her.