Since when did the Ski Jumpers have a track to guide them to the jump? Didn't they used to have to actually Ski down the hill and not down two thin tracks for their skis?
I am just reading now that the tracks are actually climate controlled now.
ALOSLIDE and ALOSLIDE ICE Inrun Track Systems
Advanced Ceramics for Ski Jumping Events
Unlike in the past, there is no guarantee that Europe will get sufficient snowfall for winter sports anymore. Ski jumping events have to be postponed time and time again or even canceled. While CeramTec-ETEC might not be able to influence the amount of snow, the company does offer a unique ceramic solution called ALOSLIDE.
CeramTec-ETEC’s ALOSLIDE inrun track system with ceramic nubs and ALOSLIDE ICE – additionally equipped with an automatic irrigation and cooling system – developed for ski jumps make it possible to hold ski jumping events all year round. The world’s ski jumping elite can glide on the ALOSLIDE inrun track just like on snow, regardless of the weather. ALOSLIDE systems are approved and certified by the FIS.