The Sponge

  Ski jumpers stay airborne by transforming themselves into a human glider, balancing the forces of gravity, lift, and drag . By manipulating their body position, they can extend a jump to last between five and seven seconds.   How They Stay in the Air The "V" Style: By splaying their skis into a V-shape rather than keeping them parallel, jumpers increase their surface area, creating roughly 28-30% more lift . This high-pressure air pushing upward acts on the base of the skis and the jumper's chest to keep them aloft longer. Aerodynamic Body Position: Jumpers lean forward into the wind, nearly parallel to the ground, to create a streamlined "wing" shape. This reduces pressure drag while maximizing the "angle of attack"—the specific angle relative to the air that produces the most lift. Speed & Momentum: Athletes reach speeds of up to 60 mph (96 kph) on the ramp. High speed is critical because lift is directly proportional to the square of t...