There were many times during Season 1 where I saw a competitor have that hesitation in their eyes right before a big jump, and I had to wonder: were they weighing the cost of whether the risk of breaking an ankle would outweigh the $3000 and some change they stood to win?
And while I don’t know for sure, I think the competitors feel that way too on some level in the first batch of episodes.
I think these players are putting their bodies on the line for our entertainment, and should get some more money to make them take those jumps without a moment of hesitation!