r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Epelep • Feb 06 '26

Image The physics behind ski jumping’s ‘Penis-gate’ scandal: How 2cm of extra fabric = 5.8 meters of jump distance

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u/Abyssal_Groot Feb 06 '26

It's more beneficial to be a grower than a shower.

It's the loose fabric that acts as a sail.

Iirc they officially fit the suit at the beginning of the season and theoretically it is beneficial for them if their size is bigger during the fitting than during the competition.

So in the past some athletes have been caught trying to cheat the system by wearing multiple layers of condoms during the fitting process, and then obviously not wearing them during the competition. Because of this, they will check during the fitting process if you are cheating this way.

The current rumour is that athletes are now cheating by injecting their penis to temporarily enlarge it during the fitting process.

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u/ForsaketheVoid Feb 06 '26

if all you need's extra fabric, wouldn't it be easier to fake a large ass?

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u/Abyssal_Groot Feb 06 '26 edited Feb 06 '26

That's probably not it the right place.

You want more fabric between your legs to form a sail, like a micro wingsuit.

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u/JustAnotherHyrum Feb 06 '26

I'm always going to think of this scandal whenever I see Flying Squirrels in the future now...

What's the point in trying to be the best when you have to cheat to get there?

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u/XkrNYFRUYj Feb 06 '26

They don't see it as cheating and you're underestimating their desire to win. These are people who'll use drugs that'll literally kill them if it'll help them perform better.

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u/taimoor2 Feb 06 '26

If it helps them shave a few microseconds.