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US Men's Ski Jumping ... 2007-08 (use BACK button to return to previous page) Jochen Danneberg, Coach US Men's Development Program
April 26, 2008 SEASON SUMMARY We have completed our 1st season as "Project X." While we had some highpoints and some disappointments, we are definitely in a much better place than we have been for years. The Team result at World Juniors 8th of 18 teams (or so) tied the best team result in US history. We also had some respectable finishes in Continental Cup and FIS Cup competitions as well. U.S. Nationals was a bit of a disapointment for the group but still represents a major improvement relative to the Nordic Combined Team who has ruled for a number of years now. They guys are all training individually at home and will begin their 1st plastic jumping in the next couple of weeks. The basic plan for this season is to build on the components which were initiated this seaason. #1 Inrun stabalization, #2 Take off technique/mechanics and consistency, # 3 Airflight mechanics, # 4 Telemark landings. While addressing these components of technique the continuing underlying goals will be #1 Experience-Exposure with our counterparts ... 6 guys will travel to Europe for 4-6 weeks in early June. They will train in Germany, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland. The top 4 will compete in the 1st 3 COC events in Slovenia. After a 2-3 week return to the US it will be back to Europe for more immersion and COC's. The primary focus for the 08-09 season is #1 World Junior results, #2 COC results. We need all 4 guys scoring in the top 30 with at least one consistanly in the top 15. The goal for World Juniors is 1 podium in the individual and a top 6 in the team event. These are lofty goals which represent results we have never accomplished previously but which are very possible ... and we have the talent to make it happen. What we are short on is $$$$$. Last season we did a fair job of raising money for a start-up year on the spur of the moment but we need to do a better job this year. Jochen has signed on for the next 2 seasons. This was critical for us to sustain continuity for the program. Needless to say, a coach of Jochen's caliber turned down several job offers for the upcoming season and has expressed his committment to our program for which we are fortunate. Compounding our financial challenge is the 'tanking' of the dollar. See bottom of page for address ... we hope you'll consider contributing to "Project X." In a few weeks you will all receive some information from Joe Holland, Chairman of Ski Jumping Development USA, Inc.. Joe has put together a working group and a multi-pronged approach to aggressively tap our existing ski jump family, as well as ideas on how to expand our limited base of resources.
So until then, thanks for all who have made our 1st season a success and we will
look forward to your support to make this coming a season a breakthrough year for
USA Ski Jumping.
This is from the Development Team website ... you can get there via link at top of this page! As you may have heard, the 2007-2008 U.S. men's ski jumping team has been eliminated. The U.S. Ski Team is focusing limited funds where they see the greatest hope for Olympic medals. Men's ski jumping has been deemed "just too competitive", and America's chances too slim to justify funding. Our jumpers of tomorrow are left without a path to the Olympics. Parents are no longer encouraging their kids to head into what appears to be a dead-end sport. On the other hand, Europeans have a highly competitive jump circuit, countless facilities and strong funding. With your help we can turn this around. We hope you will get on the bar and make a tax-deductible contribution to Ski Jumping Development USA, Inc. as we want to show those who doubt us we can be the best in the world! We hope you will mail a check to:
Ski Jumping Development USA, Inc. |