photo : Jenni Douglas
The Continental Cup ski jumping competition is in full flight and two Austrian women have taken gold for their country. The winter sports are well underway!
Ski Jumping
The sport of ski jumping has its origins in the 18th century. It started in Norway with farmers jumping off alpine hills for fun. In 1796 reports of Norwegian soldiers using snow covered woodpiles and barn roofs, were recorded. A bit like that craze in the 1990s when kids across a number of countries threw themselves off house roofs into bushes and trees – though heaven knows why!
The first recorded ski jump was in 1808 and measured a whopping 9.5 metres. Compare that with the measly 200 metres or more that some of today’s skiers achieve. Back then it was a fun thing to do, now it’s serious stuff. With competitions taking place in 20 countries ; live TV coverage; and thousands of fans shivering in the snow just to see how high and far these skiers can fly.
In 1806 Sondre Auverson Nodheim – a Norwegian – recorded a jump of a massive 30.5 metres, a record unbeaten for the following 30 years!
Ski Jump Competitions
Ski jump competitions were introduced in the mid-1800s and until 1880, skiers used sticks to help them keep balance during the run up to a jump. But these competitions weren’t annual events until 1879 – the first took place in Oslo. This exciting activity remained a European event until the late 19th century, when Norwegian immigrants introduced it to the Americans. By 1938 the Hollywood Bowl had been built and jumping was widely practiced.
Those ski jumpers who had emigrated to America earned their money between competitions by ski flying for the entertainment of the public. This was in circuses and at other events specially arranged to showcase unique their skiing skill.
The main ski jump events of modern times, include the World Cup – a men only affair – and the Continental Cup, the highest level at which women can compete. Overall, there are some 30 World Cup competitions every season. Since 1993 there have also been a similar number of Continental Cup events too. And of course, there are the winter Olympics.
Winning Women
Austria’s award winning women ski jumpers for the 2012 Continental Cup at Lillehammer in Sweden, were 21 year old Jacqueline Seifriedsberger and 28 year old Daniela Iraschko.
Seifriedsberger is in the Austrian Army and has been competing in the National squad since 2003. Her team mate, Iraschko, has been competing since 2000. In 2003, she was the first female ski flyer to make a massive 200 metre jump for joy on behalf of her country. A truly gold standard ski achievement!
Well done, Austrian women!
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