USASJ Story Project- Nov 5 COLT/NELSON

Story No. 9

JEFFREY COLT

Age 21

Jackson, WY

Hanover High School/ Lebanon Outing Club

Hanover High School (NH) National Championship team- 2007 
Cooper Dodds 2nd from left, Jeffrey Colt, center

High school ski jumping is not prevalent throughout the US, but New Hampshire still holds state high school ski jumping competitions each winter. Being the only state with ski jumping as a high school sport, the stakes are very high as many schools across the state compete for the State Title, synonymous with the National High School Ski Jumping title. As a freshman in high school in 2006, I got back into ski jumping because my brother Willie was the captain of Hanover High School's team and a good friend of mine, Cooper Dodds also competed. In just a few weeks, the rookies on the team transition from the 10m jump to the 20m jump at Oak Hill in Hanover, NH, then to the 25m jump at Storrs Hill in Lebanon, NH, and finally to the 30m hill at Hanover, all in preparation for states, which is held on the 38m hill at Blackwater Ski Area in Andover, NH. From my first jump in December to states in February, I fell in love with the sport. At states, Cooper won the individual title that year, Josh Flanders of Lebanon placed 2nd, my brother placed 3rd and I came in 8th, helping Hanover take the coveted National title. Even though I didn't beat my brother, it was still one of the most cheerful days I can remember and sprouted a passion for ski jumping that is still growing.

Editor's Note-  If I'm not mistaken, Jeffrey Colt went on to win an individual NH (National!) highschool championship.  The rest of the story.

No. 10

NORM NELSON

Age(less) 67

Boise, ID
Utah Olympic Park Parent

As  Mighty Mite Ski Racing parents we enrolled our son Tim in the program at Bogus Basin, Boise, Idaho.  Tim excelled at racing at age 8 but was unbeatable when they had the jumping competitions. In McCall he out-jumped the K 20 hill and landed on the flats.  It was obvious he was fearless.

Son Tim soaring- because JV said bring it on!

He came to me with a copy of National Geographic  Magazine which had a cover photograph of a 10 year old ski jumping at Steamboat.  Tim pushed me to let him try real jump skis.  My backpacking buddy, Doug Copsey had visited Park City and saw the jump hills being used in preparation for the 2002 Olympics.  He said why don't you call down there and see if they will let Tim try it out.

I reached Jeff Volmrich rather easily and explained that I had a kid who got some pretty significant air on downhill skis and could I bring him down.  Jeff encouraged me and even called back to see when we were coming.

Doug and I figured we'd ski Snowbird and let Tim hang out with the coaches.  Volmrich had an enthusiastic bright outlook, and a tiny shack full of jump skis so we felt like letting this guy have Tim for the day was going to be just fine.  Jeff's coaches and their enthusiasm was reassuring.

In the late afternoon we returned in time to see Tim make his second jump on the K38 which apparently he qualified for after doing a morning on the K18.  Volmrich had put Tim on jump skis after only three jumps on downhill on the K 18. We were amazed he was on what looked like a big hill to us.

We watched Tim ride the rope tow to the top of the K38 and get the flag to jump. Down he came in a nice tight tuck with fluttery take off and a fabulous crash followed by a jello slide down the outrun.  Tim was unfazed and came back to the lift line. He looked over his shoulder at me and said, "Dad, I gotta go one more time."  That look of hope, no fear, and complete jubilation with the fun of real jumping  was  a look I have never forgotten.  He landed a nice 28 meter jump and held his outrun position perfectly.  The day was over, Volmrich asked us when Tim was coming back?

Tim ended up in Steamboat and Park City High schools as a so we didn't really get to raise our son, the ski coaches got him along with Chris Johnson and Val Logston.  Tim skied for the US Team, represented Park City in World Juniors and fore ran the 2002 Games.  His personal best was 136 meters with five free trips to Europe and two to Japan.  Thanks to Jeff Volmrich saying "yes to the boy from Boise" we all had a character building, worthwhile ride.