USANS STORY PROJECT 26-DEC 2017- ALEX GLUECK

JANUARY 23, 2002- A BANNER DAY FOR THE USA!  The 2002 World Junior Championships in Schonach Germany where author Alex Glueck was silver (L) and fellow American Nathan Gerhart (R) was bronze.   German Bjoern Kircheisen won gold.  The unlikely story is below. 

ALEX GLUECK
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
alex@usanordic.org
 
I was once told by a young woman that my friends and I have more stories than anyone she had ever met. She didn’t realize, but by friends she meant teammates, and to be honest, she didn’t know the half of it. Since I was six years old, I’ve been hanging out with the same five guys. It’s not as often these days, but we still meet up when we get a chance. It’s just the nature of the sport that ski jumpers stick together. For whatever reason, we’ve all got that group that we still keep up with, even though most of us have spread out across the country. There are a million stories to tell, but one stands out above the rest.
 
Going into World Junior Championships, I hadn’t had a single noteworthy result. I’d spent November and December at home, and had only skied in two “B” cups the week before. I’d made the team, but no one was expecting much.
 
Nathan Gerhart, on the other hand, was on a different trajectory. Nathan had been skiing well all season. He’d even taken the last “B” Cup off to rest because we all knew that he was going to medal. The only question was what color it would be.
 
The day began with a good amount of luck on the hill. After a first round effort that placed me in 31st, I was poised for an underwhelming result. An undeniable gust of air on my second jump moved me up to a tie for tenth going into the race. No one expected that, least of all me.
 
Nathan sat in sixth place following the jumping. His first jump had put him in 14th, but I like to think he may have been a little inspired going into his second jump (I rarely out jumped Nathan in competitions). It was only a few meters farther than his first jump, but it was enough to make sure he was in the lead pack.
 
The race started, the leaders went out, and I had no idea what I was doing. It’s not that I didn’t know how to race, most people who knew me growing up knew that jumping was not my forte. I didn’t know my place. That race was full of future star power (Tande, Edelman, Kircheisen, Moan, etc), and I had absolutely no idea. What I did know was that my skis were fast, and I felt good.
 
It’s worth pointing out that I was skiing on a famous pair of skis that day. Bard Jorgen Elden, the Norwegian star turned US coach, had loaned me a pair of skis that were well known on our team. Bard had used them when he was an athlete, and then passed them down through our ranks. I’m not sure of all the skiers that had seen success on those skis, but for that day the “Pink Atomics” were mine and they were rockets.
 
By the second lap, I had caught the group. Everyone was busy playing games, no one wanted to take the lead. We got to the bottom of the last big hill, a group of ten or so, with only one skier out in front (way out in front). Everyone stood up, I yelled (something profane I’m sure) and I went. That was it. By the top of the hill I was alone.
 
I crossed the finish line in second and turned in time to see my tallest (and best) friend just a few seconds behind me in third. The feeling was truly unreal. The winner, Bjoern Kircheisen, had crushed the rest of the competition. In true champion fashion, he had jumped to first and skied the fastest time. It really wasn’t even close, but we didn’t care. To be honest I think he was annoyed that we were so excited when he’d embarrassed the whole field.
 
After the race, we had doping control. I was so dehydrated that by the time we got out to the press conference, half of the reporters were gone. We fielded some questions, more than a few relating to the German translation for my last name (luck). To celebrate we treated ourselves to a pizza and one beer, then called it a night.
 
Now, nearly 16 years later, that day is still one of my best days. But not for the reason people might think. Sure, it was great to get a medal. It’s an accomplishment I’ll always carry with me. But the medal is packed away these days and I sure can’t ski like that anymore. What really made that day special was being able to share it with a teammate and a friend. It’s not often in life that we get to share the stage with each other. Especially in an individual sport, victory always means a loss for someone else. That day I got to share victory with my best friend and for that reason, it’ll always be one of my favorite stories and best days.


Nathan Gerhart, USA coach Jukka Ylipulli (Finnish athlete and Olympic medalist), and Alex, right after the Schonach race.
 

USANS STORY PROJECT 25-DEC 2017- HEIDI NICHOLS

Evan & Casey Nichols share a smile... and appreciate the support of their many coaches and mentors over the years.

HEIDI NICHOLS
Ford Sayre Ski Club
Lyme, NH
heidinichols13@gmail.com
 
Thanks to a great community of coaches, parents and kids!
 
I knew I would love the sport of Nordic ski jumping the first time I took my kids to a jumping meet. My daughter, Casey, was 10 and had jumped on alpine skis for most of the previous season, only moving into jumping skis for the last few practices. My son, Evan was 8 and had never gone off a jump at all. It was January and there was no natural snow in the East and none in the forecast. Our club hadn't had any practices, but there was a meet in Andover where they made snow. We decided to head to Andover despite the fact that we had no idea what we were doing.
 
As you can imagine, Casey and Evan were a bit intimidated about jumping in their first meet since neither of them had jumped that year (or at all), let alone competed. They had all the nervousness of regular competitors with the additional anxiety of having no idea what they were doing in the first place. I told them to look at it like it was their first practice, only with a number on their chest. Besides, with the winter going the way it was, this competition could possibly be the only time they jumped that season. 
 
When we arrived in Andover without a coach to explain how things worked, I had no idea how to guide my kids. I soon found out that I had nothing to fear. After walking up to a guy who looked like he knew what he was doing and admitting my lack of knowledge and experience, we were promptly sent on our way to the jumps and years of love for the sport. The guy I talked to was Tim Norris, the long-time Andover coach.  Tim immediately took my kids under his wing and showed them the ropes. He taught Evan how to put on his skis and coached both Casey and Evan as if they were kids from his own club. This was the beginning of our introduction to jumping, and Tim was the first of many coaches to adopt my kids on the jumps and coach them through practices and meets regardless of which club they were from. Tim Norris, Jay, Luke and Zach Daniels, Mike and Joe Holland, Tom Dodds, Jeff and Chris Hastings, Jon Farnham, Nick Burke, Walter Malmquist, Josh Flanders, Tara Geraghty-Moats, Larry Stone, Taylor Hoffman, Colin Delaney, Evan and Andrew Bliss, Lindsay Van, and Alan Alborn are some of the many coaches who have taken my kids under their wings and taught them to fly. It's this atmosphere that I fell in love with: where the coaches, parents and athletes from all of the clubs look out for all of the jumpers regardless of where they are from. Our family has made many lifetime friends through jumping, and we look forward to many more years of deepening those friendships and making new ones.
 

USANS STORY PROJECT 24-DEC 2017- TED CHIVERS

CURATOR'S NOTE- Ted emailed me last year after the Peter Robes story ran with supplemental details on Peter's father, Bill.  It was quickly apparent that he was sitting on a treasure trove of material.  He promised to pull some of it together for a story this year and, to the good fortune of all of us, came through!  Be sure to scroll through the many pictures below.  Enjoy!


On the ship headed to Garmisch Partenkirchen, GER for the 1936 Olympics.  Note that many of the athletes signed the photo.  Ted's father, Warren, is back row fourth from the left.  To see Warren's US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame bio, click here.

TED CHIVERS
Springfield, VT
tchivers@allseasonsconst.com

THE OLD DAYS
 
I grew up in the next generation after the renowned Dartmouth ski teams of the 30’s, of which my dad, Warren Chivers and uncle, Howard Chivers were members and captains in the late 30’s. Warren and Howard went on to Olympic teams of ’36 & ’40. They were followed on Dartmouth teams by two younger brothers in the early 40’s. This is a condensed, pigeon-hole view of some of the history of that era and forward, much of which relates to those teams and the Dartmouth jump at Vale de Temps, accompanied by various photos from the early days of the jump, along with some trivia information. Of course, it may include a bit more information about Warren, as I will admit, I am naturally biased and proud of my Dad’s accomplishments. Forgive me if it appears that I’m blowing his horn, as he was a humble man in that sense, preferring to take pride in the successes of his students and athletes.  I should add that Howard was right there next to him in that sense. There is so much that could be written and so many photos to choose from, the most difficult part is to know where to begin and end, and moreover, to keep it short. And there are many who are far more knowledgeable of that history than I, as I’m going on photos from Dad’s albums and information passed on to me over the years, along with having been around many of those early skiers of that pioneering generation as a kid and competing on the same hills that they skied a generation before. I loved listening to their stories and looked up to them as my heroes.
 
To any of you in later generations and those from other parts of the country, the names may not be as recognizable as they will be to those of us who grew up and skied in the 50’s-70’s.
 
Here is little random trivia. Did you know?

• That the knoll on the Dartmouth hill was built out of wood, which eventually rotted or was otherwise damaged (possibly from the ’38 hurricane and caved in. Knoll hopping was not recommended, as there remained only a large crater that one had to clear just to stay alive.
• That Bill Robes not only was a good ski jumper of that era (and subsequent official and coach over his long career), but had the additional talent and courage to entertain the crowd doing flips, or somersaults- forward at that, off a normal ski jump! Bill created a wooden model of a ski jumper which he named Olaf Longflight,. Olaf had articulated joints that could be formed into any shape to illustrate inrun, takeoff, flight and landing positions, and was used as a coaching aid for beginning jumpers. See photos. And it wouldn’t be right not to mention sons Dana and Pete, top jumpers of my generation. Pete contributed a fitting story about his dad last year.
• That Dick Durrance was not just the best alpine skier of his time nationally and internationally, but skied 4 events. See photo beside jump with Warren Chivers. In reality, nearly everyone skied 4 events in those days. In fact, all of us who skied for Warren skied 4 events through the 60’s and beyond.
• That Warren Chivers competed with Nordic Combined team at the 1936 Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and was an alternate to the Olympic Alpine team. He might have skied four events had he not gotten lost in fog the at the Olympic Tryouts on Mount Ranier and skied off the course. This was a comical anecdote in Durrance’s book The Man on Medal. Dad, along with brother Howard and Dave Bradley, was also named to the 1940 nordic team, but those Olympics were not held due to the war.
• That Sigmund Ruud from Kongsberg, Norway, (older brother of Birger) and World Champion in ’29 & ‘30, and Dad became close friends, and he counted the Chivers home in Hanover as his own when competing in this country. And it was reciprocal relationship when Warren was in Norway after the ’36 Olympics. See photo.
• That Warren Chivers was the head ski coach at Vermont Academy from 1940 until his first “retirement” at 65 and continued on working with the program for nearly 20 years more. All of his kids learned to compete in 4 events. Other than the Prep School Championships, we skied all 4 in the same day!  He sent many skiers off to become national and international competitors and coaches, and well known and respected members of the ski community- too many to name without the risk of missing some. During that time, a few other highlights were: Coaching the Jr, National team in ’66 or ’67; Appointed Chief of Timing for the X-C venue at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics; Elected to the National Ski Hall of Fame; Elected to the Vermont Ski Museum Hall of Fame.
• Jumping (pun intended) way ahead to 1993, when the Dartmouth Vale de Temps tower was torn down, as the colleges had given up the sport and the structure was viewed as a liability. However, when word got out that it was due to be demolished, the network of active and former jumpers came alive and a last-minute, informal send-off competition was held, marking the last time any of us would ski the 50M hill. We dusted off the skis and up we went- most of us from the picnic table on top to help offset the years and muscle memory loss, and others, like Jimmy Holland in his prime, out of a lower chute. See article here commemorating the event by Don West. http://archive.skijumpeast.com/lastflg.htm; and here by Evan Morgan. http://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2017/02/remembering-the-dartmouth-ski-jump-1929-1993
• That a ceremony was held in 1994 to dedicate the granite monument with bronze plaque commemorating the site of one of the more recognizable features along the road past the Hanover golf course. This marked the true “END” of the Dartmouth jump- a sad thing to accept, as it was an important piece of the history of the early days of skiing in this country.

 
The good news, is that ski jumping is alive and well in Hanover and surrounding towns in New Hampshire, and the current participants are creating their own stories to be told, while making a new era in the history of ski jumping.


Dartmouth's Vale de Temps ski jump after the '38 Hurricane.  Note the trestle knoll that would later rot away making knoll-knocking a risky proposition.


The famous Dartmouth coach, Otto Schniebs (L) with members of a mid 30's Dartmouth Ski Team.  From left to right- Otto, Warren Chivers, Dick Durrance, Sel Hannah, Brian Woods, Ted Huntley, and an unknown skier far right.  Otto died in 1971 at age 78.  To see his New York Times obituary click here


Postcard of the Val de Temps ski jump during a Dartmouth Winter Carnival.  Note the wooden trestle knoll is still in tact.


Dick Durrance (L) and Warren Chivers (R) at Dartmouth's Vale de Temps ski jump.  Warren graduated from Dartmouth in '37 after taking time off from school in '36 to compete in the Olympics.


Dartmouth Ski Team lunch break in Lake Placid.  From left to right- George De Rocier, Steve Bradley, Dave Bradley (back), Howard Chivers, coach Walter Prager (back), Warren Chivers, Sherman Spears, and Steve Kolter.  Walter Prager was from Switzerland and coached Dartmouth from 1936 until 1957; he was legend in both Europe and North America.  To see his US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame bio- click here.


A family that skis together... the Chivers boys with mother.  From left to right- John, Roland, Howard, Warren, and their mother.


Brothers Howard and Warren Chivers with Mezzy Barber (R).


Sigmund and Birger Ruud performing a double jump in Brattleboro, VT.


A 1930's era shot of an exhibition event that Warren jumped in at the Los Angeles Coliseum.  The note under the photo in the scrapbook reads- "The jump as constructed of steel tubing in the Los Angeles Coliseum."


Warren Chivers, Dartmouth's Vale de Temps ski jump in 1937


Howard Chivers at Berlin NH.


Warren at Berlin, NH.


Dave Bradley at the Olympic tryouts in Bush Lake, MN (1940?).  Dave and brother Steve were Dartmouth skiers with the Chivers... another story, some of which you can see in his US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in Dave's bio by clicking here. and Steve's by clicking here.  Dave, along with Warren and Howard Chivers were named to the 1940 Olympic team that did not compete.


END OF AN ERA- Warren Chivers, Ev Wood, and Dave Bradley saying good bye to Dartmouth's Vale de Temps ski jump at the final competition in March of 1993 before it was torn down that summer.


Dave Bradley and Mike Holland saying a few words at the dedication of a monument at the site of the Dartmouth ski jump.


Warren Chivers speaking at the dedication in 1993.


The plaque commemorating the "grand old Dartmouth Ski Jump- first and last of the college big hills."  The inscription reads: "Youth and courage took flight here... and fired the Carnival air."


"Olaf Longflight" the training model that Bill Robes designed and built as a coaching aid.  Bill used Olaf to show young jumpers the preferred positions and movements... without having to bend over himself!


Son and author Ted Chivers who, among many other things, guides fishing trips to Chile & Argentina.

USANS STORY PROJECT 23-DEC 2017- JEFF VOLMRICH

Jeff Volmrich (JV) stretching one in Lake Placid in the 80's.

JEFF VOLMRICH
Lake Placid Ski Club/Park City, UT
jvolmrich@vipeventresources.com
 
The Road Not Taken 
 
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
 
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
 
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
 
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
 
Robert Frost 1916
 
 
BACK THEN- Jeff and friends playing at the Lake Placid Ski Club circa 1975.
 
All the difference indeed.

Forty three years ago in Lake Placid, NY I was beckoned down the ski jumping road. I was not looking too far ahead or around any corners at 10 years old. What I experienced lured me further on, and I have not regretted it once.
 
I jumped for the next 18 years, experienced life and the world through the unique lens of a ski jumper, it was a fantastic thrill ride with more ups and downs than can be recalled.
 

ANOTHER FORK IN THE ROAD- after the last ride in Brattleboro in 1992.
 
On February 24, 1992 I hung ‘em up for good and closed the jumping chapter of my life. Little did I know how my efforts during the winter of 91/92 would affect the next 25 years of my life. John Bower (RIP) was getting things going at what is now the Utah Olympic Park, he hired me to start the jumping programs at the Park. In November of 1992 I drove across the country with my dog Bear, landed in Park City and have found no compelling reason to leave.
 
The ski jumping road led me to Park City and the best 25 years of my life. Fiona and I met here in 1997, Taylor and Savannah are both Park City natives. No ski jumping? Who knows what path might have been taken?
 

 THESE DAYS- Jeff with wife, Fiona, and daughters Taylor and Savannah in Park City.
 
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
 
It has been one heck of a ride!
May you all have Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year.

USANS STORY PROJECT 22-DEC 2017- GREG WINDSPERGER

Jerry Martin- still picture perfect with one eye.   GREG WINDSPERGER Minneapolis Ski Club Shoreview, MN Greg.Windsperger@federalfoam.com There is something to say about the integrity and courage of the men and women that participate in the sport of ski jumping.   One example comes from one of my best friends, Jerry Martin.  In the summer of 1971 Jerry and I worked for a stucco and plastering contractor called Brisson Stucco.  Yes, we worked as tenders for Ed Brisson, our beloved coach.  Tenders were the laborers for the experienced plasterers.  We would have many responsibilities that ranged from mixing the ‘mud’ (cement), carrying it to the plasterers, or setting up scaffolding.  (It is important to note that Ed Brisson employed many ski jumpers through the years such as Jerry, Jim Grahek, Tom Dargay, Jeff Wright, Ron Hanson, the entire Ellefson family, myself and many others. It was kind of a “rite of passage” to become a good ski jumper.) Well one day, Jerry was working hard and tying in some scaffolding to a brick wall, when a nail broke off and flew into his eye.  It was a terrible accident and he lost the complete sight in his right eye.  Jerry, the reigning National Champion at the time, was devastated and it put some worry into all of us that our number one U.S. Team member would not be able to compete at Sapporo, or maybe not even ski jump ever again.  But Jerry kept training hard for the remainder of the summer and fall with the rest of us in the Minneapolis Ski Club as if it did not bother him at all. We went to our first National Team Training camp in late November of 1971 in Banff, Canada for our first jumps of the year.  I will never forget after working on the hill for a couple of days, in high anticipation of our first jumps, we all were silently concerned that Jerry was going to have some sort of trouble with depth perception, jumping late, maybe jumping early  . . . . and we all were worried for his safety. On our third day in Banff, it was time to take our first jumps.  For some reason, it seemed like it was myself that set tracks (as you know they could afford to lose me to an injury, it would not be a big loss) so I was the first down.  All went well and a few others jumped after me, and then  . . . . it was time for Jerry’s first jump . . . .As tough as Jerry was mentally he seemed so calm getting ready for his first jump at the top.   In order so his right eye would not water under his goggles, he put some athletic tape over his eye, (with no padding under the tape) and was ready to go.  We all just held our breath and he kicked around and headed down the track . . . holy shit . . . I was so nervous for the well-being of my friend. . . . . Well as you all know the end of the story, Jerry went off the jump, with one eye, absolutely nailed the jump, flew in his perfect form, landed way down on the hill with a perfect landing and rode out the outrun to stop.   He got back on the Poma lift and came up to the top for another jump.  Oh my  . . . .it didn’t even bother him a bit.   It was so incredible to me that he did not lose anything  . . . he was as good as ever.   An incredible feat that most of us still marvel about today. Jerry went on to win two more National Championships, Ski Flying in Ironwood, competed in the Olympics in 1972 and 1976, skied in the 1974 World Championships in Sweden and ski flying in Kulm, Austria.  He is truly an incredible athlete that overcame adversity.   I have been proud to be Jerry’s friend all these years and we still see each other often and compete together… but in the game golf.  If there is something to take from this story it is the fact that all of us men and women who have participated in the sport of ski jumping seem to have a strong inner drive to succeed by working hard, living with integrity, determination, and courage.  We love to have fun and we rely on each other for the fellowship and friendship that last a lifetime.  That is a good feeling.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.

USANS 21-DEC 2017- TODD SCHOLL

Todd and Toddli with aged and fresh hardware.

TODD SCHOLL
Winter Park Ski Club
tscholl@accesspaymentsystems.com

After reading the first story for 2017 by Scott Nichols I didn't put much thought into it. It referred to the old ski jump (Big Nansen) in Berlin, New Hampshire that had its last competition on January 20th, 1985. It was recently restored and jumped by Sarah Hendrickson.  A couple of weeks ago something dawned on me as I was talking with my 6 year old son. He is also named Todd but we call him Toddli. That story will continue. 

In January of 1985 we were staying at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, which was the old hotel on Main Street (I believe). As usual, those on the US Ski Team who weren't quite up to snuff on their jumping stayed stateside and those jumping well were in Europe or wherever.  At the same time Dennis McGrane had taken a sabbatical from jumping to finish school at Dartmouth. In his down time he would come to Lake Placid to jump so he was staying at the Olympic Training Center.  It was a quiet weekend with no competitions and Alan Johnson was the acting coach for us misfits. We were all expecting to simply have a weekend of training and do whatever we could to not get bored. Then Alan approached us and said that there was a competition in Berlin and they needed some Ski Team guys to make an appearance. When Alan mentioned Berlin I had no idea where this was or what it was like. I don't think Dennis did either. Nansen Ski Club was going to take care of our accommodations and even feed us so we agreed to go.

So we make it to the jump and look at what we would describe as a banana looking trestle. The jump had the longest R1 curve we had ever seen. It was a decent sized with a K point of about 80 meters.  I took my first practice jump and with that long R1 curve it felt like an eternity waiting to get to the take-off.  It seemed like the jump was all table and hardly any vertical. Once you jumped the hill suddenly fell away and it felt like you were going to the bottom of the hill, but not necessarily.  The competition started and I put together two 78 meter jumps with perfect squat landings. Dennis and I are both from the Winter Park Ski Club in Colorado and Winter Park jumpers are known for their excellent telemark landings. Guys like Scott Clayton, Landis Arnold, Todd Wilson and Dennis demonstrated this well. Then there was me. A nice and solid squat landing.  Sweet!  Dennis jumps and puts together two 80 meter jumps with one solid telemark landing. Yes, one solid telemark landing. The other jump started off with a telemark but ended with a crash. Hence, I won the competition.

Last year I had pulled out my old trophies and decided to give most of them away to Todd Wilson for the Steamboat program to reuse the hardware. I let my daughter Mei Li and son Toddli keep one or two. One was the trophy I received in Berlin. It was actually an impressive trophy.  After reading the story from Scott Nichols it dawned on me that - thanks to Toddli-  I had that trophy from the last competition in Berlin. So to mark history: I got to compete in the last competition in Berlin, NH at the Nansen Ski Club and I won simply because Dennis had to use his trusty telemark landing. Sorry Dennis!  The picture of the trophy it shows the date. The other pic is me and my son Toddli holding the trophy and his third place medal from his first competition in Steamboat last year. He is hooked now.

Certainly it was a fun weekend at Berlin and Nansen Ski Club did an amazing job putting on this historical competition marking the end of a great era. I guess I didn't realize it at the time but now knowing all the hard work that goes into running jump programs it is really nice to see restoration of jumps to bring back what was lost. I hope and pray that Nansen carries on a great tradition yet again. Blessings to everyone this Christmas and Happy New Year.


Evidence from the last tournament held on Big Nansen... a win for Todd Scholl.

USANS STORY PROJECT 20-DEC 2017- DENNIS MCGRANE

Those who inspire us... Dennis McGrane's 1977 collage of heroes.  See the index of who's who above, below. DENNIS McGRANE Winter Park Ski Club Lyons, CO dennis@mcgranewater.com I am a hoarder.   In about 1977, when I was 15, I created this collage from my ski-jumping photo collection.   Inspiration comes from many things and these skiers shaped my skiing career and who I am.   Special thanks goes to Scott Clayton (picture 8) a Winter Park, Co. progeny who inspired me in many ways including: giving me his hand-me-downs (turtle neck with thumb loops, first pair of p-tex bottom “fish sticks);” and taught me ballet, how to jump a roller-board, and use a jump bar in the Clayton barn ( Littleton, Co.).  Scott was a member of the University of Utah Ski Team; World Championship Skier; ski-flyer, mentor, and life-long friend. As a young skier, there were so many people to look up to including: the intercollegiate Americans and foreigners; great USST skiers like Terry Kern, Jeff Davis, Chris McNeil; foreign Teams like the Austrians and East Germans; and even the photographs of jumping greats of yesteryear.  We are an incredible community of men and women who love the thrill and excitement of flying in the wind.    Thank you Jeff Hastings for taking the time to bring us all together to remember and hopefully inspire our future flyers! LEGEND of LEGENDS Terry Kern: inspiring little man Chris McNeil: gave back; strong; quiet; top 10 in Lake Placid pre-Olympics Berlin N.H: someone died there. Freddie Groyer (Aus): First foreign ski-jumper I ever saw skiing Laconia. Old Hill at Steamboat:  burned down; Carl Schnable (Aut): Air suit. Berlin N.H: Scott Clayton:  Hometown hero and mentor. Old style at Steamboat Springs Carl Howelson: Steamboat founder Chris McNeil: Montana jumper Terry Kern: Tom Christensen:  NCAA champion. Wade Catell: Madison, Wi. Unk Unk: Old Steamboat 90m Freddie Groyer (Aut): Solid form. Kip Sundgarrd: University of Utah; member of Gene Kotlarek’s USST. Jeff “hairdog” Davis: Steamboat flyer; 9th place in Lake Placid 1980. Me: Aspen, Co (~1976) Madison: 1st plastic big hill (1975) Jim Denney:  America’s Best!; Taught us how to land and win. Unk: Madison:  hands in front. Jeff Davis:  Tipping over in Lahti, Fin. Me: Winter Park (~1974) Unk: Steamboat Old 90m Toni Innauer (Aut); No helmets yet. Unk:  Somewhere in midwest Me: Boys Life cover (1975); still in leather boots with motorcycle helmet Unk:  Hmm….John Balfanz or Gene Kotlerek?