by Marsh

Carl Howelsen did me an incredible favor when he introduced skiing to Steamboat Springs. The Nordic ski jumps that were erected soon after his arrival have changed his hill into a world class training facility. I am not a Nordic jumper myself, but I am part of a breed of skiers that feel the need to throw themselves off of our K112 ski jump on alpine skis. Gelende, which means attached heal in German, is a small sport that crosses elements of ski jumping with downhill skiing. This past season, I competed in my first ever Pro-Gelende Tour Championships here during our Winter Carnival. I was the youngest competitor, having just turned seventeen, and am now a member of the 300-foot club (for those who've flown over 300 ft.). I, like many of the old guys that I jump with, (really old for what they are doing at least), am hooked for life. The feeling you get when you hit the air and fly out towards the streets of Steamboat is amazing. Here I am, (the little red speck above the landing), getting that feeling. You can tell that these guys don't do this sport for the money because there is about a $3,000.00 purse, and this is the biggest event of the year. There are very few spectators, and everyone wants each competitor to have the longest jump of his life. You're only competing for bragging rights and gas money, so everyone has a good time. This is a group of guys that I am very glad to be able to compete against. When I was a little kid I used to look up to them and wonder if I too would ever get to jump the legendary "Big Hill". Now that I have had the privilege, I have a feeling that I will continue to jump until I am physically incapable of doing so any more.