In a way unlike any other Olympic sport, ski jumping captures the imagination of its audience. Each run elicits the exhilaration of flight, balanced against the ever-looming threat of a crash. Who could forget the image of the ski jump wipeout that coincided with the words "agony of defeat" in the famous ABC Sports montage? The 2002 Olympic competition figures to be as high-flying as ever. The altitude at Utah Olympic park - about 7,000 feet - is higher than any ski jump venue in Olympic history.

Scoring
Distance points: For each meter the athlete lands beyond the K point, two points are added to a base score of 60. Conversely, two points are deducted from the base score of 60 for each meter landed shy of the K point.

Style points: Five judges award style points on a scale from zero to 20. The high and low score is thrown out, so the athlete can earn up to 60 style points.

Taking flight
The jumper skis down the inrun in a crouched position to minimize drag and increase speed.

Ones to watch

Malysz and Schmitt

The competition is highlighted by a rivalry between the world's two pre-eminent ski jumpers - Poland's Adam Malysz and Germany's Martin Schmitt.

Malysz dominated the 2000-2001 season, becoming only the second ski jumper to win 11 World Cup titles in a single season. The first to do it was Schmitt in 1999-2000. At the 2001 World Championships in Lahti, Finland, Schmitt won the large hill title and Malysz took the normal hill.

Championships in Lahti, Finland, Schmitt won the large hill title and Malysz took the normal hill.

Sources: International Olympic Committee; U.S. Olympic Committee; Salt Lake Organizing Committee

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS