Lake Placid, New York - January 17, 2011
Freezing temperatures and a recent blast of snow means winter is in full swing throughout our region. But if traditional winter activities like sledding and ice skating aren't enough to soothe your appetite for adventure, we may have just the thing for you adrenaline junkies.
In a town known for its Olympic tradition, you expect to see some crazy stuff. And that's exactly what happens all winter long at the historic Olympic jumping complex in Lake Placid. For five bucks a session, the folks at the New York Federation of Ski Jumping sponsor weekly learn to fly lessons -- no experience needed.
All you need is an open mind, a positive attitude and a little moral support. And for the six and seven year-olds that participate -- a trusting parent doesn't hurt either. "We get them in here and they can't say no," said Dave McCahill, a NYSEF ski jump coach. The trick to getting kids to try such daring stunts is to start small. The kids here learn the basics on a bunny slope, and slowly work their way up. "It's funny how you start slowly and then work your way up and it's like, 'oh, this is no big deal.'"
As dusk began to fall, these young kids were fearlessly skiing off an 18 meter jump. "Ski jumping is a small enough sport that -- your chances of going pro in football are pretty slim --but if you stick with ski jumping, you can really go far," McCahill said. And distance is the name of the game. About a dozen Olympians have gone through this program. "That keeps them motivated. Reading about them in the newspaper and then trying it on the hills. We hook them."
One of the current Olympic hopefuls is Riley Preston of Lake Placid. The seven year-old hopes to one day medal in ski jumping. "When I see the professionals I just say.... Wow," Preston said. "Don't even bother doing this when you're 27 because you'll probably break your back and hurt your ankle."
Older than 27 and not one to be chided by a seven year-old, this reporter decided to give the sport a shot. After a quick lesson and instant success on the difficult five meter slope, it was on to the big, big boy -- a decision I quickly began to regret as younger, less breakable daredevils whizzed. "You sort of feel the air pick you up. There's nothing quite like it," advised McCahill.
Before I knew it, I had reached the point of no return -- ready to fly -- like it or not. The final result -- not exactly perfect, but an experience I lived to talk about. Proving even someone older than 27 can survive a ski jump, without getting their lights knocked out.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
