Men receive just over 165,000 kronor for a World Cup victory in ski jumping. For women, it is considerably less: 55,000 kronor.
Frida Westman is "not a big fan" of the difference.
"We put in at least as much time as the men, but it's like we're being punished for not having the chance 70 years ago. It's not my fault, it's the men who have decided that we can't do the same thing," she says.
“Poor excuse”
The 24-year-old understands that the prize money is linked to television exposure, among other things, but also believes that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (Fis) has not invested enough in women's ski jumping.
How are we ever going to get to the same prize money if they keep increasing the men's? That's what I think they're a bit bad at. I know they're trying and I have great respect for all that, but at the same time... What about us? You feel like it's always going to be worse to be a woman.
Westman is asked whether the active players can influence the distribution of prize money, but instead chooses to answer what Fis needs to do to create better opportunities for the ladies.
Maybe they themselves shouldn't be so discriminatory in their thinking... They should get together.
How do you manage to bet on your sport?
I work a little on the side. I prefer to work on weekends when we have free time to train, but sometimes it can be a training session in the morning, one after lunch, and then it's just home, showering, and working until half past ten. It can be a bit much, but I can manage.
Aiming for the Olympics
Frida Westman receives a scholarship from the Swedish Olympic Committee, has private sponsors and also support from the Swedish Ski Association. Important elements that allow her to focus on qualifying for the second Olympics of her career.
Among the first steps will be the competitions in Falun, Friday to Sunday, which will host World Cup competitions for women's ski jumpers for the first time since 2014.
Westman needs to reach two top 12 finishes in the World Cup during the season to be selected for the Olympics.
