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Show March 9, 1995 lieutenant waxes way to Canada Hill Supports U.S. ski team in world competition "It's nice to be able to help him out," Heckman said. "He's currently ranked 12th in the world and has a good shot in the competition." But his brother is not the only one with high hopes. This year, the team has had probably its most successful year with several top 10 results and two bronze medals in team competitions. Another skier on the four-mateam is ranked ninth in the world. Heckman said the U.S. has always struggled to finish in the top positions in Nordic Combined because in other countries, such as Sweden and Norway, athletes are groomed from a young age for the event, similar to how youth in the U.S. are groomed to play baseball or football. He also said most of the teams have support crews made up of five to 10 technicians. "It's like a national sport in countries like Norhere it's just not that big." he said. "Here, way skiing has a small following." But with success comes pressure, including the support crew. "They're good enough now that the pressure is on to have their skis in top condition." he said. "They have a good shot at winning a team medal in this competition, that's why the support crew is so important." Heckman arrived with the team earlier this week to prepare for the competition. He said it will take four to five days to test several different waxes on the team's skis which number more than 30 pairs to come up with the best one for the conditions. He said when choosing the proper wax a technician has to consider the terrain, temperature and the shape of the snow crystals. The lieutenant said a properly conditioned ski could make the difference in a skier finishing in the top places or dropping out of medal contention. Waxing 30 pairs of skis for competition, each pair taking about 45 minutes to finish, will mean late nights, but he said it is worth it. "It's rewarding knowing that what you're doing can make a difference in the outcome." Heckman said. by Jay Joersz Hilltop Times staff After attending the last two Winter Olympic games, a Hill AFB lieutenant is now at the 1995 World Nordic Championships which pushed off Tuesday and will conclude March 14. 2nd Lt. Doug Heckman. of the Commodities Directorate, is at Thunder Bay. Canada, this week to help the surging U.S. Nordic Combined Olympic Team possibly place the highest in team history. However, his support for the team won't be as a skier it will be looking after the skis themselves. He will be one of a two-ma- n wax technician crew for the team. This will be his second time offering his skills to the U.S. team. He first volunteered his services at a World Cup competition in Steamboat Springs. Colo., earlier this year. The team's coach was so impressed that he wrote Heckman's supervisor at Hill and requested he be allowed to help at the Nordic World Championships. Moreover. Heckman is no stranger to the rigors of Nordic Combined skiing himself. He has raced in the event for more than 10 years and competed as a member of the Air Force Academy Ski Team, including two years as captain. He was also a member of the National Championship Nordic Team for two years, and in 1993. claimed the Nordic Combined Ski Association Championship title. Nordic Combined is a two-dacompetition in which competitors ski jump from a jump ski race 15 kilomehill one day and ters the second day. Results from the ski jump determine the order in which competitors will start for race. Whoever crosses the finish the line first wins the event. Heckman said he has had enough of competition, at least for a little while, but still wants to be around n cross-countr- z life V. itjiw Heckman is L . - , 2nd Lt. Doug Photo by Jay Joersz Canada this week to support the U.S. Nordic Combined Olympic Team. in y the sport. So. when the opportunity arose to help the U.S. Ski Team, he jumped at the chance. Of course, it's also nice that when he supports the team, he will also be supporting his brother. His younger brother, Ryan, has been a member of the U.S. team in the last two Winter Olympics and his family has been there to offer support and help wherever it was needed. 90-met- cross-countr- cross-countr- 19 Hilltop Times y y y (f 1989 PoiiuiT Cr. Prix AIR f., SHOCKS Quality JOINTS U S5900 TJSaDB'S Service STRUTS BATTERIES Performance CV BOOTS (lax domuxnij JOINTS & S2I vrsA HOURS: 8:00 A.M.4:00 P.M. SATURDAY 8:00 A.M.-5:0- 0 COUPON BASIC BRAKE SERVICE SPECIAL Call for appointment. Now TTrVTT zzZzr- I n 0 f "tj 109 $T2&5 - I I 0 i (Expire Mart J1, 1995.) NOW FROM Installed most domestic cars I Tr. Wll( and light long lift lirhrn Wi "f 2r NOW Installed most domestic cars and light trveks 11, Wos 0 Ga iwr U?.95 Call the Military Experts O c O Low down payment z with I coupon (Expire Mirth 11. 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