Lindsay Van, who became the first ever women's world ski jumping champion in 2009, and her compatriots Jessica Jerome, Alissa Johnson, Sarah Hendrickson and Abby Hughes were instrumental in winning the right to have women's ski jumping included on the Winter Olympics programme.

After a long fight they finally achieved their aims in 2011 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) added women's ski jumping to the programme for the Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014, having failed to have it included at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

"It is something I felt like I had to do, not for me, but for the sport itself," Van was quoted as saying by the Salt Lake Tribune.

Bill Kerig, the director of the film, said: "I hope this film inspires anyone who comes up against the toughest of challenges to keep fighting for what they believe in and to never, never give up."

Filming began almost two years ago as Kerig's team tracked the quintet across the globe in their battle.

Deedee Corradini, President of the United States women's ski jumping team, said: "We have a wonderful opportunity through this inspiring film to share our story with the world and continue to push for equality in ski jumping at the Olympic level and equality for women in sport."

Some of the proceeds will go to her organisation, and filmmakers are currently looking at negotiating a national broadcasting deal.

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