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Show Tuesday, Marckl.im The Dairy Utah Chronicle -- 7 ran Go for the gold with Park City Olympic ski jump .r Winter Sports Park unique; one of few in United States BY HEIDI HOFMANN Chronicle Feature Writer With the end of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, skiing down a mountainside and bob-sleddi- competitions have ended, but since Salt Lake City is vying for the Olympic bid of 2002, they are not over. The Winter Sports Park offers yearlong Olympic entertainment by keeping ski jumping and the Olympic bid dream alive. the park, open for the pub- - Playing sick lie's recreational education and use, is equipped with five Nordic ski jumps and a freestyle aerial jump for flips and stunts. It was built in hopes of getting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, according to John Bower, director of the facility. Completed in December of 1992, the jumps were built on an agreement Utah made with the United States Olympic Committee. To compete for the country's Olympic bid, the state agreed to build ski jumps, a bobsled and luge run and a speed skating facility. "Five cities were bidding to be the U.S. choice in 1989 and Salt Lake City won," Bower said. The state appropriated $56 million through public referendum to the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee and the $18 million jumps'are the first completed facilities. "The only gamble is, if we don't get the Olympic bid in June of 1995, the state takes the facilities and they have to try Writer at Large Rob Roberts is taking this week off to reflect on his place in the universe, and nurture his inner child. and make the best of using them," Bower said. "In the meantime, we're just sort of trying to make use of them." The chance of getting the bid is pretty good, administrative assistant Mary Rose Ashcroft said. "We're hoping to get the bid. It looks really good because we're the only organizing committee that actually has the facilities that are being used by not only the elite athletes, but also the general public." The park has been utilized for public recreational and educational jumping since last winter. "Anybody who enjoys getting off a mogul should try this. For anybody who likes air this is the place to be," Bower said. ' ... i v, J s " mm 1 . The session begins with skiers jumping in the ski play area, where moguls are jumped. Then, people move onto the five-met- jump which can send er them 20-2- 5 feet. Coaches advance those who are ready to an jump and eventualto a ly jump, on which 18-met- er 38-met- er a person feet. can launch 100-11- 0 "This is the place where it's okay to get air. You can go as high as you want and as fast as you want, as long as you can handle it," according to :zz. ifcJ- - h- - ---- - - Ashcroft. The general public either likes the experience or hates it, but they are always glad they tried ski jumping, she said. "We're trying to show the world that ski jumping, when done in a controlled environment, is a safe sport. We're try- J' 12' ing to change the daredevil image of the sport it's safe and for the whole family," Bower said. One woman, 69, and her husband, 72, even learned to jump, f i -, according to Ashcroft. "They came out and did it and thought it was a blast." About 1,000 people went through the program last year and performed a total of 121,000 Event to be held at resort helps Nature Conservancy protect habitat of wildlife participants try to ski a maximum number of feet in a five-hoperiod. "The challenge is a great opportunity to help a more than worthy cause. It is also a good chance to ski on a great walk-a-tho- BY PAUL KELLER Chronicle Feature Writer Skiing down a mountain at top speed is not only exhilarating and fun, but at Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon this March 12, it will also help the environment. The third annual Ski Mother Earth Vertical at Sundance Resort allows people to ski for a charitable cause. Similar to a n, ur mountain for free," Jeanie Hamilton, ski school instructor at the resort, said. All proceeds from the event will benefit Conservancy, the Nature a nonprofit orga- nization whose main purpose see "nature" on page nine CHAOS hrony omix jumps. During that time injuries, which had to away from the park, according to Bower. very low incidence occurred, "So it's a of acci- dents." Even falls, which generally happen on flat ground after a person has landed, are few. "You can stand up here for two hours on a given afternoon and only see one to two falls," he added. But for those who are more serious about ski jumping, primarily developmental athletes, the Bear Hollow Sports Club was incorporated at the Winter Sports Park last August. Interested parties, parents and jumpers total 110 members of the club, comprised mostly of juniors but also adults. Certified Nordic jumping by Brian Shustw 'g TUthouah thev were once a thriving and populous species, a ruthless turn in evolution was causing the s to become extinct. pop-ant- 16 be treated " ' " CHRONICLE Wheee! The Winter Sports Park allows the general public to experience Olympic-styl- e sports like ski jumping. coaches meet with 50 junior developmental athletes, ranging from ages five to 18, to help them grow in a competitive environment. "It is this nucleus of kids that may someday contend for the national Olympic team," Bower said. "It is very possible we could have a competitor in the 2002 Olympics from the that's. very realistic." park Jeff Volrich, the club's program director and professional ski jumper for 18 years, believes the facility's primary function is to foster a competitive experience for members. "From the very beginning see "ski jump" on page eight by Jim Jim's Journal LEHMAN PHOTOPaul Remarz by Andrew Lehman polo's MYlooS doeSTS SiMBldC |