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Chevrolet Ski JumpSalt Lake City Winter Olympian Clint Jones put down the longest jumps of the competition to easily win the Chevrolet 90 Meter Summer Ski Jump on Sunday evening in Lake Placid. The field of 42 jumpers used the artificial training surfaces at the MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex in this annual event. The porcelain tile in-run mimics winter speeds down the ramp, while a synthetic surface that resembles a thatched roof is placed on the landing hill. |
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Jones, now training to compete at the 2006 Winter Games in Torino , Italy , sailed 94 and 98 meters on a 75-degree evening to turn back Olympic teammate Tommy Schwall and grab the $800 first prize. Jones, of Steamboat Springs , Colo. , picked up 253.5 points for distance and style. Runner-up Schwall, also from Steamboat Springs, recorded jumps of 90 and 94 meters for a total of 235 points.
“The wind today was coming down the hill,” said Jones. Jumpers prefer updrafts that enable them to ride the wind further down the hill. “But the air was consistent and so the event was good and fair.”
As nice as it to win now, Jones has his eyes on February in the Italian Alps.
“I'm trying to jump all summer at a high level but our team will focus on winter jumping. My main goals are to train hard physically but not peak too soon with my jumping. This summer, I'll take it a little slower.”
Anders Johnson of Park City , Utah was third with jumps of 87.5 and 91.5 meters for 224.5 points.
National Sports Academy in Lake Placid put three in the top 10, led by Willy Graves of Putney , Vt. , sixth, with 200.5 points. Graves , a winner here in the New Year's meet, had 81 and 88 meter jumps. Brian Welch of Scarborough, Maine took seventh with 194.5 points (79.5-86.5 meters), and Evan Bliss of Lake Placid 10 th with 185.5 (80.5-82 meters).
John Lyons of Maplewood , Minn. captured the junior bracket with attempts of 86.5 and 90.5 meters. Lyons recorded 213 points. Willy Schott of Black Earth, Wisc. jumped 84.5 and 88 meters, amassing 205.5 points. Daniel Englund of Florence , Wisc. took third with 198 points after jumps of 88.5 and 81.5 meters. A trio of local skiers followed with Andrew Bliss of Lake Placid fourth with 197 points (86-82 meters), Colin Delaney fifth with 191.5 (81.5-86.5 meters) and Alex Madden of Saranac Lake sixth with 185 (78-86.5 meters). Peter Frenette, also of Saranac Lake , finished ninth at 97.5 (63.5-63 meters).
Using a higher start gate, the women's division posted some of the longest jumps of the night. In the end, Jessica Jerome led a podium sweep by Park City athletes. Jerome skied away from the field with jumps of 93 and 94.5 meters for 242.5 points. Lindsay Van took second with 91 and 90.5 meters and 230.5 points. Third place went to Abby Hughes with 78 and 79 meter jumps and 172.5 points.
The event was also part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's SuperTour as well as the Art Devlin Memorial Cup in Lake Placid , named after the legendary Nordic skier, Olympian and television commentator.
