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| Tom Ricchio showing some classic style on a bluebird day in Coleraine, MN. |
TOM
RICCHIO
Age 67
Iola Winter Sports Club
Iola, WI
My
jumping career started I would have to say maybe somewhat differently than
most. I was eight years old living in Racine, Wisconsin and had no idea
of what ski jumping even was. I was literally dragged by my dad to join a
friend of his along with his friend's son on a downhill ski trip. That
trip as it turned out was to Iron Mt., Michigan. Wouldn't you know that
it was the same weekend that the jumping tournament was going on at Pine
Mt. I saw that hill and the jumpers flying off of that thing, and I was
hooked. I went back to the downhill area to try and find some bump
on the hill that I could try and jump off of. Before we left I remember
telling my dad that someday I was going to jump off of that giant hill.
I'm not sure what he said back then, but I doubt if he took me seriously.
Well fast forwarding ten years and he and I were back in Iron Mt. This
time I had my blue 8 foot Northlands with me, and I was there to take my first
jumps off the first ski jump we had ever seen. I remember that first jump
like it happened today. No track, some light snow falling, and for the
first time in my skiing career I remember thinking that I was not completely
sure I should be doing this. Doug Kopelke, Mike Probst and I headed
up. Doug was first. He jumped there the year before and most can
remember that famous photo of him with his tips against his chest going over
the knoll. He was nuts, and Mike and I were much more concerned as I
remember. All went well for the three of us as we ran up to take another
ride. A month later I was on my way to the military, and nine months
later my dad passed away. The last jump he saw of mine was on the first
ski jump either of us had ever seen. I never jumped the hill after that,
but it will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks for bringing
up to Iron Mt.,dad.
Editor's note-
Some more background from Tom-
I jumped for the Racine Ski Club from
1958 thru 1970 when I returned from the military. The club folded while I was
away because of a liability law suit. I then joined Norge, and jumped for them
until I purchased land in Iola, Wisconsin in the mid 90's. I moved to Iola in
2003 and am still taking a few jumps at age 67. I spend a lot of time at the
hill on projects, and coaching the local kids. Like most of us, ski jumping is
a huge part of my life, and always will be.
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