Wish it! Dream it! Do it!

I am going to steal today's title from Sarah Hendrickson's gloves (see the photo below). It seems like the perfect title for the World Championship Women's Ski Jumping. The girls today did more than just wish, dream and do it. They were true champions whether they finished on the podium or off. In fact every one of those girls are my hero for going out there and jumping in the conditions they competed in today.



I arrived at the competition sight around 12:20pm. As soon as I wandered up near the stands I heard my name being yelled. The girls were standing just a few feet away so I was able to go over, wish them luck and give them hugs. I was happy to have that opportunity to start off my day. I wandered around a little further trying to figure out where my ticket allowed me to stand. I noticed the team coach, Kjell talking to some people. I waited until he was headed back toward the team and stopped him just long enough to say hi. After he walked away a woman approached me and asked if I knew him or was with the team. I told her that I worked with them and she informed me that the whole group standing there were from Kjell's village in Norway. They were there to cheer on the USA girls. Pretty impressive. At the time the men's qualifying was going on. It was foggy so you couldn't see the top of the jump but you could see the OSLO across the hill just above the landing area. I decided that since we did not have anyone competing I would wander back toward the cafe and merchandise tents to see what was available. That area ended up being the best place to find people. First I found Blair who works with the women's jumping team and then I found the moms (Chris, Nancy & Dorie). Blair told me to look for them near the rail because they had brought flags to put up.

When the moms and I walked around to our standing ticket area we found the group and moved in. Thankfully the position was right across from the big screen because while I was gone the fog moved lower. You could no longer see the OSLO on the hill. We were able to watch much of the jumps on the screen and then you could see the girls as they entered the finish area. There were many times the judges held the girls or had them come off the bar and wait for conditions to improve. Despite this the girls put down some impressive jumps. For most of the competition we could barely see the lights at the bottom portion of the jump by the landing. And we never could see the landing.

Our view

Despite the conditions the crowd was enthusiastic. We all cheered for every athlete but you knew when an American or a Norwegian athlete was coming up. It went a bit crazy at that point. Throughout the event our group size grew as more American fans found us. A couple of the Nordic Combined parents had flown in this morning and they eventually found their way to the event and our group. The reigning world champion coming into today was American Lindsey Van. Unfortunately the wind and weather were not helpful and her first jump came up short. She did not qualify for the second jump. In the end our girls finished 14th- Jessica, 16th- Sarah, 20-Alissa, 24th-Abby and 34th- Lindsey. At the end I had the chance to ask Abby what their view was like from the top. She said it was exactly like ours. They could barely see their coach give them the signal to go. They couldn't see the end of the jump and they definitely couldn't see the crowd. But she said they could hear us. It was a tough day for all of them but I am still amazed by the perserverence and determination despite the odds and weather. These girls deserve the opportunity to be Olympic athletes. They certainly showed today that they will not let anything stop them from competing in a sport they love. I hope someday everyone gets a chance to see them compete.

The mascots


Abby and Me (after event)

Chris, Dorie, Nancy, Nancye

Nancye & Nancy

After the event I managed to get the parents all down the right route to the train. Since we had different stops they were on their own from there. I got off and picked up the bus back to Hanne's place. They made the most delicious homemade pizza for dinner. It was amazing. And then we watched tv and I did my knee exercises since I have been slacking off with moving and travel. I'm pretty sure now that they know I'm supposed to be doing them they will be cracking the whip. We hoped that during some of the jumping replays I could point out our group. They did show a shot of Blair on the tv and my hand waving a bell, but that was it. Which is fine, since I'm not a huge fan of being on tv. It is hard enough making myself do photos. But I want you to know I'm really here, so I posed for a couple today.

Tomorrow morning it is back to the hill. Here is hoping we can see it this time. There is Nordic Combined and Women's XC Pursuit to cheer for. Plan on cheering for Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane, Billy Demong, Bryan Fletcher and Taylor Fletcher. On the XC side we can cheer on Liz Stephen, Morgan Arritola, Holly Brooks and Jessica Diggins. GO USA!