Ski jumping
Me representing Canada at the ski jumping hill This week’s updates are coming from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. When I had first found out 7 years ago that the games were coming to Vancouver, I intended to attend, but I only won a single ticket in the ticket lottery. I decided that wasn’t enough to merit coming across the Pacific and sold the ticket. But last week as I was watching the Olympics on TV, it looked like a lot of fun; I had the spontaneous thought that “hey, I could just go” to the Olympics, and, a few hours later, I had impulsively booked a flight and bought event tickets.
Me with the Cotton women at the Olympic rings in Whistler I arrived on Sunday and came up to Whistler. Fortunately for me, my friend Cecilia and her family were also coming to Whistler for the games this week and graciously are letting me spend a few days in their condo.
Ski jumping at Whistler Olympic Park Today I attended my first event of the games: men’s team ski jumping. I wanted to see them fly, and I wasn’t disappointed. As with many sports, seeing it live is very different from seeing it on TV. On TV, you have the sensation that ski jumping involves, well, jumping. In the real world, looking up the hill, it’s much more evident that ski jumping is really controlled falling down a hill.
Thomas Morgenstern jumping In team ski jump, there are two rounds. In each round, each of 4 members of the team jumps once, and their scores are added together. The top 8 teams jump again. The Canadian men were ranked 12th going into the event, and came out in 12th, so they didn’t make it to the final. The Austrian team dominated the event and were amazing to watch. 
Austria wins gold! Their final jumper, Gregor Schlierenzauer, had the longest jump of the entire 2010 games, 146.5m. I had a blast and am looking forward to the rest of my events this week.
Take a look at the rest of the pictures from today in Whistler.
Stefan Read, Canadian ski jumper Update 2010/02/23 22:00 PST: I learned after the event that there was a bit of a competition going on between the North American teams. The Canadians and Americans were ranked second last and last respectively, and they had a friendly wager riding on the result: each member of the losing team had to drink a bottle of maple syrup. Those poor Canadian guys…
Comment by Paul
“I wanted to see them fly, and I wasn’t disappointed.”
Man, I bet that was awesome! I’ve always wanted to see some jumping live, but haven’t been able to yet.
I’m envious for sure!
Comment by Jamal Stephens
I always thought that performing the ski jump would be akin to skydiving: totally exhilarating but challenging and a bit scary. The finesse comes through on television, but it would be fantastic to witness in person.
And — women will ski jump in the Olympics now!
Comment by Bill from Toro Lawn Mowers
In response to Paul’s comment – “I’ve always wanted to see some jumping live, but haven’t been able to yet.” – I got to see some great skiing about 10 years ago up in Vermont. It wasn’t Olympic standard, but man it was some good stuff to watch. I haven’t seen them jumping like that either in real life, but I am also determined to see it one day after being bitten by the skiing bug 10 years ago. Great memories.
All the best
Bill Jenkins
Webmaster, BestLawnMowerReviews.net
Comment by Tom
“each member of the losing team had to drink a bottle of maple syrup. Those poor Canadian guys” Do you think it was
Canadian maple syrup? If so it didn’t bother them to loose, it’s like soda to them.
Comment by Nicolas
The photo of Austria winning gold is an award-winner! Besides the perfect timing, it would also accompany the perfect caption: ski JUMP champions!
Comment by Albert
I love watching ski jumping at the Olympics! That, and speed skating, are my favorites. Ever since I got a high def TV, the helmet cam on the ski jumpers makes you feel like you’re actually there, soaring above the mountains and the crowd. Like virtual reality!
Imagine the Olympics on a 3D TV…
Comment by Dave
These are great photos! What camera do you use?
Comment by Douglas
Dave, I shot these pictures with a Canon 7D, 28-105mm lens.
