Planica 1941 was a ski flying study week, allowed only in study purposes, with main competition held on 2 March 1941 in Planica, Drava Banovina, Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Around 15,000 people gathered for the competition, which was used as a propaganda tool by the Nazi regime. Two world records were set, including a 118-metre (387 ft) jump which stood until 1948.
An enormous ski jump was built in 1933 in Planica in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, at which a dozen world records were set in the mid-1930s. While occupying Yugoslavia during World War II, the Nazi regime enlarged the course to make it possible to set new records for propaganda purposes. A competition was held in 1941, which notably excluded the top Norwegian skiers.[1]
All jumps over 105 metres
Chronological order:
106 metres (348 ft) – 28 February – Paul Krauß (4RD, Training 3)
106 metres (348 ft) – 28 February – Rudi Gering (4RD, Training 3)
111 metres (364 ft) – 2 March – Hans Lahr (3RD, Competition)
112 metres (367 ft) – 2 March – Paul Krauß (3RD, Competition)
109 metres (358 ft) – 2 March – Franz Mair (fall, 3RD, Competition)
Competition
On 26 February 1941, the first official training day was held. Rudi Finžgar set the Yugoslavian record at 93 metres (305 ft) and the longest jump of the day was set by German Heinz Palme at 98 metres (322 ft).[2][3]
On 27 February 1841, at the second official training, Heini Klopfer crashed at 93 metres (305 ft), the distance of the day, and Paul Krauß set the longest standing jump at 101 metres (331 ft).[4][5]
On 28 February 1941, at the third official training, there were a total of 18 jumps which exceeded one hundred metres. Krauß and Gering both landed at 106 metres (348 ft), just under the world record.[6][7]
There were no jumps on 1 March, during which the hill was repaired and prepared for the next day's competition.
On 2 March, a large crowd had arrived for the competition. The International Ski Federation (FIS) was very reserved toward ski flying and the dangers involved in establishing world records, and endorsed the competition for study purposes only. People have seen total of 49 jumps and two world records.
Competition was scheduled in two parts: morning interns and an afternoon round for records hunting. The run experienced melting from strong sunlight and only 17 competitors were able to complete morning runs (8 Germans and 9 Yugoslavians).
By 2 pm conditions had changed, the inrun froze and the course speed increased. After two scheduled rounds and Gering's world record distance at 108 metres (354 ft), organizers wished to end the event for safety concerns, but it continued on Germany's request. The fourth and final round had a series of great jumps: Heinz Palme reached 109 metres (358 ft) but a ground touch invalidated this for a world record distance. Then Rudi Gering set the world record at 118 metres (387 ft), winning the official afternoon competition in the best jump battle. Other jumps were Hans Lahr (111 m), Paul Krauß (112 m) and Franz Mair (109 m with fall).[8][9][10]
First official training
26 February 1941 – chronological order not available
Not recognized! Touch ground at world record distance.
References
^MacArthur, Paul J. (March–April 2011). Skiing Heritage Journal, pp. 20–25, at Google Books. International Skiing History Association. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
