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Show Students launch themselves around the world Four Westminster women balance school, friends and international ski jumping competitions "There is no other feeling in the world that compares to ski Macey Matthews, StaffWriter TiffenyTam, Business Manager As a college student, life can feel dominated by school. Trying to find a balance among class time, hanging out and homework is not a simple task. For four Westminster women, the balancing act includes intense workouts six days per week and traveling around the world. lot of people think it's pretty stupid to ski down a ramp going around 60 mph and launch yourself into the air..." "A Brenna Ellis Brenna Ellis, Abby Hughes, Jessica Jerome and Alissa Johnson are four of the six female ski jumpers on the U.S. Ski Team. The students, who joined the team last spring, are part of the first group of female ski jumpers admitted. Ski jumping, a winter sport, entails skiing down a hill to jump off a ramp in order to fly as far as possible. Jumpers are scored based on distance and style, which includes balance, good body position, landing and the steadiness of the skis during flight. r- - - r-p- b Photo courtesy of ORDA Jessica Jerome leaves the 100-met- er hill with Whiteface in the background. jumping. Abby Hughes A lot of people think its pretty stupid to ski down a ramp going around 60 mph and launch yourself into the air and try to fly as far as you can, but the feeling you get when youre in the air is amazing, said Ellis. There is no other feeling in the world that compares to ski jumping, said Hughes. Its indescribable and has a rush that keeps me coming back for more, despite the fact that we cant really make a living in the U.S. as a jumper. The women all began their jumping career at an early age. Ellis first became interested through an after school program at her elementary school. Every Friday afternoon, she would head to the Utah Olympic Park and go off small jumps. After one winter of that, she immediately signed up for the local ski jumping club and has been competing internationally since 2003. I have been ski jumping for 13 years, so pretty much every day since I started I have been working at being the best in the world, she said. Hughes, one of the youngest members of the team, has a similar story. She began jumping at the age of seven, I started ski jumping because my brother, who-- , is two years older than me, got into it and I wanted to be just like him, said Hughes. I fell in love with the sport and stuck with it. Jerome, a ski jumper of more than 12 years, is ranked fifth in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Continental Cup, which is the highest level of competition for women ski jumpers. Her dad was opposed to the sport at first, fearing Jerome would injure herself. With her moms support, however, she continued jumping. Ignoring the windy weather and a knee injury from training last December, Jerome made the second-longe- st final jump during the Lake Placid, N.Y. competition, which took place Aug. 28-2- 9. A good jumper has to jump well in all conditions, Photo courtesy of Brenna Ellis - launches during ORDA - thefirst day of action in Lake Placid, NY. said Jerome, in a press release provided by the U.S. Ski Team. Thats this sport. The wind can be screwy, so get used to it. Thats why there are two jumps. Johnson started ski jumping at an early age. She is said to be one of the top skiers in the sport and improves each year. Growing up in Lake Placid, N.Y., her dad was the national Nordic Combined coach. After moving to Park City, the Utah Olympic Park opened, giving her the opportunity to continue jumping. Since ski jumping has not been open to women until recently, Ellis said obtaining a spot on the team was no easy feat. Since 1924, ski jumping has been part of the Olympics, but is the only Winter Olympic sport that still does not have a competition for women. Last year, the FIS asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow women to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The IOC denied the request, saying there are not enough athletes and participating countries. "...pretty much every day since I started I have been working at being the best in the world." Brenna Ellis Despite being denied, the women continue demanding a chance to compete. With the next round of winter games taking place in Vancouver, Canadas female ski jumpers have taken their complaints to the Human Rights Commission to request help getting into the 2010 games. The IOC has remained firm on its decision. We are still hopeful that we will somehow get our spot in the games, but it is not as likely as it had once been, said Ellis. Not being able to compete in the Olympics has not stopped the women from dedicating their lives to the sport, though. Ski jumping is an activity that keeps these Westminster students busy all year. Training consists of three days in the weight room and three days of endurance I t VOLUME XLI: ISSUE 2 I; |