In mid August 2002, SkiJumpingCentral received a message from a young man requesting information about where he could try ski jumping. This is not an unusual request; we get quite a few, especially during ski season, from people who think it might be fun. This one actually was a bit unusual, not only because the request came in the summer, but because it came from Ireland.

We replied with contact information for some of the clubs in the U.S. that have year-round jumping surfaces, and also suggested they contact Don West via his Eastern Ski Jumping site. We mentioned that most ski jumpers start very young, and that not many people start as adults. Didn't give it another thought, until August 21, when we received the first note shown below.

After several messages back and forth, it became clear that these young men, Richard Brown (L in photo) and Andrew Turner were not just dreaming; they had concrete plans to give it a try at a camp in Scandinavia in late September. We asked them if they'd keep us posted on the preparation and the trip, and they agreed. Their e-mails and comments are in green, webmaster comments in gray.

Here are the first pictures and the first video at the 15M and 35M jumps in Gothenburg, Sweden. More to come soon. Congratulations, guys ... hope to see you on snow this winter!

Click images to enlarge, BACK button to return to this page.

Video: Richard on 15 meter jump   (2 megabytes, AVI, Windows Media Player)

From: Andrew.Turner
Date: 21 Aug 2002, 05:18:47 AM
Subject: FW: Ski Jumping
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Top of the morning to you!

My friend and I are from Ireland. We are heading of to Norway for a 10 day Novice Ski Jumping course.

We are thinking of coming to the States in December and were wondering if it is possible to get coaching with yourselves.

Thanks very much,

Regards Andrew

 
We followed up one of Andrew's early notes by suggesting some people who might help him find a learning program. We'd kind of forgotten about it until we got the note above. We wrote back asking him how he'd found the program in Norway.

 
From: Andrew.Turner
Date: 22 Aug 2002, 02:59:09 AM
Subject: RE: Ski Jumping
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It is through someone Don West put me in contact with (Steffen Geissen). I think you originally gave me Don's contact details.

I will be able to tell you more about it when I get back.

My friend and I are hoping to become Ireland's First ski jumpers! Hopefully we will become known as the flying Irish...and not the Fighting Irish or the Falling Irish on that matter!

Regards Andrew

 
Asked Andrew for a bit of information on the second guy in this expedition. Gave their names to a reporter doing research for a story on ski jumping. Also told Andrew about some folks in last weekend's summer tournament in St Paul, mentioning in particular a young man (age 12) with a prosthetic leg who had two beautiful flights from a 20 meter jump.

 
From: Richard Brown
Date: 28 Aug 2002, 07:33:29 AM
Subject: Flying Irish
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I'm Richard, Andrew's partner in the upcoming ski jumping effort.

I just filled out an email interview for a magazine reporter (a Norwegian publication I think), regarding our efforts to ski jump. Lord only knows how she heard of us, but she did! She asked how I'd become interested in ski jumping.

I've always been a fan of extreme sports of any persuasion, and particularly enjoy going fast and getting 'air'. Watching from afar ski jumping always stood out to me as being of particular merit in both those aspects! I also love the fact that ski jumping has avoided a lot of the glamour and hype of other sports - yet when it comes down to the crunch it's as extreme as any of them.

That's awesome about the 12 year old kid. Its amazing what you can do with a positive attitude and good support!

All the best,

Richard Brown.

 
In one of my e-mails in return, I'd asked Richard if he and Andrew were really serious about trying this sport. I didn't want to be announcing their trip, and publishing a journal on the SkiJumpingCentral website if it was just a wild idea, without real commitment on their part.

 
From: Richard Brown
Date: 28 Aug 2002, 11:56:52 AM
Subject: We're serious!
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Thanks for the great email. I appreciate it a lot. Its great to hear someone who loves the sport talk about it so eloquently.

It is in our nature to come across as a bit 'wild and crazy' - we're just boys after all - but please don't let this dissuade you from our seriousness. True, we know little about the sport - but we know enough to know there is a lot more to it than just throwing yourself off a hill. Andy and I are taking this new challenge very seriously. We've both began fitness training in preparation for our holiday, not to mention the very substantial financial cost that going to Norway involves. We have also spent a lot of time trying to learn as much about the sport as possible.

There is something about the sport that has struck a chord with me - something about its simplicity, beauty, skill and audacity that I crave for. It's a sport for people who have the courage and nature to go that extra mile or do something that little bit different or exciting - to step outside what society considers 'normal'.

Best Regards,

Richard Brown

 
In early September, Richard informed me that their destination had changed, but the dates remained the same ... Sept 17 through Sept 23. Here's his note.

 
From: Richard Brown
Date: 06 Sep 2002, 10:33:26 AM
Subject: Change in plans
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Just to update you. Andrew and I are no longer going to Norway ski jumping... We're going to Sweden instead. It is the same dates, we leave on the 17th and return on the 23rd. We have several reasons. Primarily the reason is that the ski jump in Norway is at the moment only open for 3 evenings of the week we are there! Not much ski jumping for us there! We have been told the ski jump in Gothenburg is open all week. It also helps that Gothenburg is much cheaper to live than Norway. As our communications are mainly by email it is sometimes hard to get all the information at the right time - if we had known we were only going to get jumping for 3 evenings in the first place it never would have been an option! Luckily we have been in touch with two hosts from Gothenburg who have offered us the loan of jumping suits and skis and hopefully boots. They have also told us they will show us how to do it.

I will be packing my digital camera and we hope to keep a journal of our experience which we will email you on our return.

Wish us luck,

Richard

 
On September 25, Richard wrote the following note to inform me they'd returned to Ireland ... as real ski jumpers! There will be more to follow. SJC congratulates them and wishes them many future flights.

 
From: Richard Brown
Date: 25 Sep 2002, 08:52:11 AM
Subject: Back from Sweden
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Just got back from Sweden, will write you a full report this evening if possible.

Had a great time. Jumped the 15m and 35m hills.

Regards,

Richard.