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Flaming Leaves Ski JumpSalt Lake City Olympian Alan Alborn continued his return from a knee injury Saturday to win the annual 90 Meter Flaming Leaves Festival ski jump, presented by Charter One Bank, in Lake Placid. Against a backdrop of red and orange autumn colors, Alborn, of Anchorage, Alaska, soared 97.5 and 95.5 meters to defeat 2002 Olympic teammate Clint Jones of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Alborn totaled 259 points for distance and style and pocketed $1,200 for the victory. "You always know that the wind will be a factor here," said the winner. "Up there it was like sticking your head out a car window. It makes it more touch and go. But my jumps were pretty consistent." |
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Alborn's triumph came on Lake Placid's artificial surfaces that allow training and competition in summer and fall. The in-run is made of porcelain tile, while the landing hill features a synthetic material. Both are watered creating winter conditions.
Jones, who captured the July Summer Ski Jump on the same hill, took the first round lead with a flight of 99 meters. But his final attempt of 91.5 meters in warm, but capricious winds dropped him to the runner-up position with 251 points.
"My jumps felt similar but the wind was different," said Jones. "But it's normal for ski jumping and we're all used to it."
Jones still leads the three-event Art Devlin Memorial Cup, named after the five-time Olympian from Lake Placid who died in April. The final competition for the Devlin trophy is slated for New Year's night.
Chris Francis of Park City, Utah, in third place, jumped 90.5 and 87.5 meters for 223.5 points.
Mike Glasder of Cary, Ill. captured the junior division on the strength of 90.5 and 97 meters. Glasder accumulated 239.5 points. Second place went to Taylor Fletcher of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Fletcher had a pair of 94.5 meter jumps and 232 points. Buck Bailey, also of Park City, Utah, recorded 91.5 and 88 meters for 218 points and finished third.
Park City's Lindsey Van took the women's bracket. Van sailed 91 and 91.5 meters. Her 233 points easily outdistanced Jessica Jerome, Park City, Utah. Jerome posted 85 and 86.5-meter jumps. Karla Keck of Oconomowoc, Wisc., grabbed third with 82.5 and 77.5 meters and 175.5 points.
In addition to ski jumping, the yearly event offered a freestyle aerial exhibition at the adjacent Kodak Sports Park, live musical entertainment, interactive games, pony rides, vendors and the Great Golf Ball Roll. Judy Shea of Lake Placid won this latter event, a fundraiser for the New York Ski Educational Foundation. Mrs. Shea is the mother of 2002 Olympic skeleton gold medallist Jimmy Shea. Her ball rolled the furthest down the 90-meter hill.
