For over 25 years, the Furtwangen Ski Boarding School has proven itself as a training ground for young sporting talent. In ski jumping, big names such as Sven Hannawald and Carina Vogt have studied here in the mornings and trained in the afternoons. That hasn't changed. In contrast, the demands, requirements and stresses to which young athletes are exposed today are increasing. "In order for the athletes to get the most out of themselves, they have to execute the jump as technically clean as possible," says national ski jumping coach Stefan Horngacher. "For example, they have to be able to push off the ground evenly with both legs without shifting their weight."

It may sound simple, but it is a difficulty that challenges the young athletes time and time again. "How can we train the take-off even more efficiently without having to go on the jump every time?" asked the head of the boarding school, Niclas Kullmann, and national coach Rolf Schilli, among others. With this question in mind, they turned to IEF-Werner, a provider of automation solutions and system components based in the same town.

"We were quite surprised when the ski boarding school called our head office," recalls Andreas Hirt, Technical Consultant in the Linear Drives division at IEF-Werner. The engineers were naturally very interested in the task. "After clarifying the requirements, we developed a multi-axis structure consisting of smooth-running linear guides on which the athlete can later train his jump. Put simply, the individual axes each consist of a movable linear carriage and a linear guide," he explains. This enables smooth and linear movement. The entire system thus reacts sensitively to imbalances and makes incorrect loads during the jump visible.

Rolf Schilli is delighted. The new take-off simulator comes very close to the situation on the ski jump. It requires the athletes to push off straight during the jump without generating too much force to the side and thus sliding away. "On the ski jump, we have the problem that the inrun track usually consists of an ice track and a plastic band. When jumping off the hill, the athlete often pushes their skis to the side against the edge of the inrun track and is thus slowed down," he explains. "That doesn't happen with the IEF-Werner take-off simulator. The athlete has to concentrate optimally on the central take-off."

Of course, the new device was a challenge for the young athletes at first. How do I stand on it? How do I get into my position and how can I jump off dynamically? But the head of the boarding school has found that the system is extremely challenging. For example, Jonas, one of the students, uses the new training device in every single training session to perfect his jumping technique. "Not only is it a very efficient training option, it's also a lot of fun," says Kullmann enthusiastically.

Trainers and students discover even more exercise potential. "For example, the athlete can also perform movements slowly," says national coach Schilli. "This is the best way for them to notice for themselves when it is the perfect time for them to come out of the squat and what their angle should be." And national coach Horngacher adds: "The device can be used to greatly improve coordination skills. Finding the right balance in the approach position is a crucial point." The jump simulator is currently being used by junior athletes, but has also been used by professionals. as