Coming in 42nd place, Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes was the only Canadian to qualify to compete in Saturday's world cup men's ski jumping event in Whistler, B.C.

"It's different when you're the one that's being cheered for and not everyone else. It's definitely more exciting and takes more concentration for sure," the 17-year-old told CTV News from Whistler's Callaghan Valley.

The event is a first not only Boyd-Clowes, but for the Olympic venue. But there's a worry it may be the last.

A lawsuit launched by female ski jumpers in 2008 could stop the sport entirely. The women want the right to compete in the sport -- or see ski jumping cancelled altogether.

"Nobody really knows what the courts will do and it will be very interesting to see in April what happens," said Canadian ski jumper Brent Morrice.

Many athletes and fans are already weighing in on what they feel the verdict should be before the case event begins.

For some, the sport is a matter of national pride, and that change is unwelcome.

"I think it would be a shame, there's a long history of ski jumping and it's important that it continues," said Norwegian fan Hallvard Kaldestad.

"It's not healthy for women, it's definitely a man's sport, and it's something that women should not try," said Polish fan Stanislaw Szczedanowski.

According to legal experts, it's unlikely the Canadian courts would eliminate men's ski jumping even if they rule in favor of a women's event.

'There's a long tradition of both plaintiffs and courts rejecting what's called equality with vengeance. Which is if you can't have it, nobody gets it. It's a bit like cutting off your nose to spit your face," said constitutional law expert Margot Young.

It's something retired jumper Zoya Lynch is counting on.

"I hope it's not putting pressure on them, it's a really hard subject because it's just such a last resort that I'd want to see," Lynch said.

The now-retired jumper joined the suit in a fight for equality, but at the same time supports her former male teammates.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Sarah Galashan