USASJ Story Project- Dec 16 GERAGHTY-MOATS

Tara taking the inside line.  A former star jumper, she is now a promising biathlon skier.

STORY No. 56

TARA GERAGHTY-MOATS

Age 19

West Fairlee, Vermont.
Lebanon (NH) Outing Club

currently in Beitostolen, Norway competing in the International Biathlon Union Cup. (level below world cup). I am also going to a biathlon gymnasium in Sweden for the year.

I was at the top of the Lake Placid K90, it was July 4th and a Saturday.  I was waiting to take my second Jump of the comp. It had been raining on and off all day, the starts had puddles on them, the bars were slippery, my suit was probably a full kilo heavier because it was so soaked, and my goggles had somehow gotten water drops on the inside of them. I had had a solid first jump of around 100m; if i could follow it up with another good jump I might be able to win some money.  Winning money would be a long shot though because most of the men's national team was also competing.

It wasn't raining at the moment, but I realized there was another sheet of rain coming fast from the direction of the John Brown farm. If I was lucky I might get to jump before the shower hit the ski jumps, but I was pretty sure I was going to get drenched.

Then I realized it didn't matter, I didn't care if it started pouring rain, all I cared about was the fact that I got to jump. I got to jump, and if everything worked out I would get paid for doing my favorite thing in the world, jumping long.  Life was good!  Rain or no rain, I was a lucky girl.

My second jump: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3UnJanqGLE

Editor's note- Please don't deprive yourself of seeing Tara's second jump.  Amazing.  I think it's safe to assume she took home some money that day.