Ski jumping is an endangered sport in the United States. And, in a sense the situation has become the chicken and egg scenario. Here’s why. The very organization devoted to providing opportunities and development programs for athletes competing in six Olympic sports (ski jumping included) dropped all funding for the American Men’s Ski Jumping Team and affiliated programs. The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) decided that since the team has not produced a podium finish since 1924, they would divert their resources toward other programs and drop ski jumping altogether. In essence they gave up on American Ski Jumping as a sport. So the question is, how can you become a podium finisher when there is no support or dedicated program that promotes athletic advancement?

This is just the tip of the problematic ski jumping iceberg. Without funding, the top tier of men continue to drop out of programs leaving a void at the top, eventually this trickles down to up and coming athletes. This loss of leadership and experience explains why more clubs across this country dissolve into history. Without financial support men’s ski jumping in this country will be lost forever. Fortunately there are incredible people devoting time, money, and making personal sacrifices to see the sport continue.

Project X
The men’s team is now getting support through a grassroots, private organization called “Project X”. This organization has taken the leadership role in supporting the US National Men’s Ski Jumping Team filling the financial and development void left by the US Ski Team.

But it’s not only the men who are struggling. Women’s ski jumping is still excluded from the Olympic games. In 2007 the International Ski Federation (FIS) voted 114-1 to recommend that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) include women’s ski jumping in the 2010 Olympics. In 2004 the FIS created an international competitive series called the Ladies Continental Cup and this year the series led to the first ever FIS Women’s World Championships. American, Lindsey Van won the event making her the first American to win a gold medal in a World Championship or Olympic event. This was truly a historic moment for women.

A lot of progress has been made in women’s ski jumping over the past five years but this progress still has not impressed the IOC. The IOC has argued that there are too few athletes and too few nations to justify allowing the women to compete. Additionally the IOC stated that the level of competition within the women ranks isn’t good enough. All these arguments can be proven wrong. American, Lindsey Van holds the overall record at 105.5 meters on the Vancouver K90 jump, this means her jump went further than any man or woman. Women’s ski jumping now boasts 160 athletes from 18 countries competing on a regular schedule, and the women jumpers claim to have more athletes than bobsledding, luge, skicross and snowboardcross. There is no longer an argument for not being able to compete in the 2010 games, the facts line up and support the women.

If women cannot compete in the Olympics these athletes will potentially loose out on tremendous funding opportunities. During a press conference in Denver Lindsey Van made this comment.
"(Sponsors are) just going to fund sports that are able to get Olympic medals. If it's not in the Olympics, the top level of women's ski jumpers are going to quit and the sport is going to go backwards."

With so many uphill battles being fought, ironically, this year has seen the best American results ever in international World Cup competition for men’s and women’s ski jumping and Nordic combine.

Anders Johnson, Age 20 is from Park City, Utah. He has been skiing since the age of three and has racked up some impressive results. Anders recent results included a 1st place at the 2009 National Championships and a 1st and 3rd place result in the 2008 National Championship. Anders has competed in the multiple FIS Cups and international Continental Cups.

Chris Lamb, Age 19 is from Andover, New Hampshire. He has been skiing since the age of six and hasn't looked back. For Chris ski jumping has become a way of life. Chris continually strives to be the best holding high standards for himself. Since graduating high school Chris is now devoting all his time to training and working on the of being one of the world's best jumpers. In 2005 his team was took the North American Championships. Chris was a member of the 2001 and 2008 Junior World Team.

Nick Fairall, Age 19 is from Andover, New Hampshire. When Nick was only five he watched his older sister, at the age of six, ski jump. Nick was only five, and he wasn't allowed to jump yet, but once he turned that magic age of six, Nick's life changed forever. Nick pursued the sport with a passion, and like so many other young jumpers, had to make a big decision to put off college to pursue what he loved, ski jumping. It isn't practical to go to college when you have to train and travel year round. And to be the best requires 110% of your time. Nick has consistently performed well at the National Championships taking a 3rd in 2007 and a 4th in 2009. Nick has gone on to compete in the international Continental Cup series and in the FIS Cups placing well against the top jumpers in the world. Nick is part of the Project X A-team.

Nick Alexander, Age 19 is from Lebanon, New Hampshire. Nick started ski jumping at the age of 10. After his sophomore year in high school Nick attended the National Sports Academy (NSA) in Lake Placid, New York. In 2007 he was invited to train in Austria with some of the world's best. After making exceptional improvements, Nick returned to the States where he took 1st and 2nd place in two national competitions. Nick's results and hard work gave him a position on the Project X team, which has allowed him to train and compete in Europe. Nick is now on the A team and competing in the international Continental Cup Competitions. Nick is now one of the top ski jumpers in the United States.

Mike Glasder, age 20, resides in Cary, IL in the offseasons for ski jumping. He started at the age of 5 at the Norge Ski Club and has been hooked ever since. Mike couldn't think of doing anything else at this time in his life. A two time overall Super Tour Winner and a four time junior world team member, Mike just finished his best season yet with a 14th place at the Junior World Championships and going ski flying for the first time and setting a new personal record of 179m. He is feeling good and looking forward to the upcoming summer season to build on top of the last and make some big improvements.

Johnny Lyons, age 20 is from St. Paul, Minnesota. Johnny has been ski jumping since he was five years old so naturally it played a major role in shaping who he is today. The past few seasons have gone well for him as he was voted as the skier of the year in the Central Division for 2007 and 2008. Johnny was the overall SuperTour winner in 2008 and has been a member of the Junior World Championship Team for two consecutive years. He has place 17th in the FIS cup in Oberwiesental, Germany and 29th in the Continental Cup in Kranj, Slovenia. Johnny’s two main goals are to make the 2010 Olympic team and to go ski flying. His personal flying record is 140 meters set at Klingenthal last summer during his first trip with Jochen.

Blake Hughes, age 22, is from Park City, Utah. Blake started ski jumping at the age of 7 and since that first jump he's been hooked. Blake loves to ski, mountain bike, camp, playing sports outside, rock music, traveling and jumping off stuff. He graduated from Park City High School in 2005 and is now a part time student at the University of Utah. If he's not jumping he enjoys watching his favorite football and baseball teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies. Aside from attending school, Blake is currently working at the Park City Peaks Hotel so that he can pay for the many expenses associated with ski jumping.

As a competitive person Blake enjoys putting on a bib and seeing how he measures up against others. He has a love for speed and lives for the rush that ski jumping gives when he knows he had a good jump. For Blake, jumping isn't just a sport to compete in, there's just nothing more fun to do then ski jumping—it's his passion in life.

Blake has competed in multiple FIS Cups in North America and Europe. He was the 2003 NorAm Springer Tournee Champion, he took 6th in the US Nationals in 2009, and he took 3rd overall in the 2008 winter Super Tour. Blake was a 4 time Junior Olympic/North American Championship team event champion, and a member of the 2003/2004 World Junior Team member.

Andrew Bliss, age 18 is from Lake Placid, New York. For Andrew the ultimate dream is the Olympic games, consistent Continental Cup points, and World Cup starts. Living in Lake Placid has been the perfect place do develop as a jumper and Andrew couldn't be happier living there. Ski jumping is his life. He says it has made him a well rounded person giving him the opportunity to experience so much more than what most people get to witness. When Andrew isn't jumping he enjoys playing soccer, baseball, golf, tennis, water skiing, and alpine skiing.

Andrew has done well in jumping. He just recently became the 2009 Devlin Cup Champion. He has racked up numerous Empire State Game medals, Eastern Championship golds, and a 2nd place at the Springer Tournee. Andrew took an individual 3rd place and a 1st and 2nd place in the team events at the Junior Olympics. He also took second at the North American Championships and placed 1st, 2nd, and 2nd in individual jumps at the New Year Ski Jump competition.

Nick Johnson, Age 18 is from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Nick is ranked within the top 15 of Ski Jumpers in the Nation. He is one of the few active American Ski Jumpers who already has FIS World Cup Points. Nick has numerous top 10 finishes in Super Tour Ski Jumping competitions as well as a Gold medal at Iron Mountain on their large K-120 meter hill. Nick was recently named on the Ski Jumping National Development Team.

Alex Haupt, age 20, is from Park City, Utah. Alex started to jump 14 years ago when his friend and fellow jumper, Anders Johnson, introduced him to the sport. Alex is currently studying Biology at the University of Utah and when he's not studying he is usually working hard to improve as a ski jumper. His goal is to compete in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

"Ski jumping is by far my favorite sport. I love the speed, I love the competition, the highs and lows of the sport, proving doubters wrong: it all helps to feed my need for adrenaline and keeps things in perspective. I'd have to say my favorite thing about ski jumping however is the feeling of total freedom you have in the flight. The only person who can do anything about your jump is you, and you alone."

Alex is working two jobs to pay for his schooling and his jumping costs.

Will Schott, Age 17 is from Madison, Wisconsin. Will has been Ski Jumping since he was seven years old. He has competed in 4 straight Junior Olympics from 2004- 2007. In 2006 he won the Gold Medal in the Junior Olympic Individual Ski Jumping competition. Will also took 3rd place in the team event at both the 2006 and 2007 Junior Olympics. In 2007, Will finished 8th in the qualifying for Junior World Championships. Will has numerous top ten finishes in National Super Tour Events and also spent one summer training with the French National Team in Europe. His farthest jump was flying 127 meters this summer in Courchevel, France.

Dan Englund, Age 19 is from Iron Mountain, Michigan. He is well-known for his great airflight position and ability to land and stand far distance jumps. Many of his best results have been in long standing competitions, including numerous wins at the Norge Ski Club's long standing tournaments as well as the King of the Hill this summer.  Dan had a number of notable results during the 2008 winter season including 3 open class wins (Coleraine, Norge and Eau Claire), a longstanding competition win (Chicago), and 2nd in the highly competitive Minnesota Ski Jumping classic at the end of the season.  He also set a new hill record during Norge’s tournament. Dan’s main objective for next season is to advance to a higher level of competition, hopefully overseas, and become more consistent.  He hopes to score continental cup points before the end of the 2010 season.

Zak Hammill, Age 18 is from Iron Mountain, Michigan. He is a naturally gifted Ski Jumper who has proven his skills at the Junior Levels and is now making waves on The Senior Circuit. Zak has claimed gold and silver medals in the individual events in recent Junior Olympics as well as numerous podium places as part of the team events. Zak found himself on the podium of many USA Super Tour events in 2008. Overall, Zak is ranked the 6th best Ski Jumper in the USA going into the last winter season. He looks to consistently dominate the Midwestern tour this year and also improve his national rank in preparations for the upcoming Olympic Season.

Adam Loomis, Age 17 is from Eau Clair, Wisconsin. He is one of the young dedicated athletes who not only excels on the ski jump but also competes in Cross Country skiing. This is called Nordic Combined. Adam has been named the Central Divison’s Top Nordic Combiner for the last two years. At the 2008 Junior Olympics in Ishpeming, Michigan, Adam won the ski jumping individual competition, finished second in Nordic Combined, and was the anchor for the Central Division team that won the team jumping competition. Adam’s goals for next year include qualifying for the Nordic Combined Junior World Championships.

Brian Wallace, Age 15 is from St. Paul, Minnesota. Brian is a promising Junior Ski Jumper who has already competed in three Junior Olympics. Brian claimed top finishes resulting in a silver medal for the individual event and Gold Medals in the team events. He was recently named to the National Ski Jumping Team and has been chosen to travel to Europe this season to compete in World Cup events and the Junior Worlds competition. Brian was named as the Top Overall Central Junior Skier in both 2007 and 2008. Brian has a personal best jump of flying over 410 feet!