The 98th annual Jumpfest kicked off this weekend in Salisbury, welcoming ski jumpers and spectators from all over New England and upstate New York.
This event is organized by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association and takes place on the Salisbury Ski Jumps at Sutter Hill.
“When you watch ski jumping live, it's unlike anything you've seen on TV,” said Willie Hallahan, one of the association's directors. “These guys are jumping 50 miles per hour when they're coming off takeoff, and they can jump up to 200 feet in the air. You can hear their sleds slapping against the land hill. It's fun to watch.”
The event kicked off on Friday, and competitions began on Saturday. The Salisbury Invitational junior competition was held in the morning. Sunday is the main event, the US Eastern Ski Jumping Championships, where ski jumpers will compete for a coveted spot on the junior national team.
“You'll see future Olympians. They're so good,” Hallahan added. “It really builds a young kid's character. If a child is having difficulty with self-esteem or anything else…in ski jumping, they are learning to overcome their fears.
Jump sizes range from 20 meters to 70 metres.
“The 70-meter hill is the size that little citizens use, and it's a very important size because as a child grows, it's the first size of hill that a jumper can actually fly,” Hallahan said. “Anything younger than that is just gravity taking over, and they're jumping and landing, jumping and landing. At 70, they can actually try flying if their technique is good.”
Ski jumpers made the trips from all over the region, from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and New York.
“At first it was very difficult, but then it got easier and easier,” said Ava Joyal, of Vermont.
Their parents say it's all a mind game of focus and confidence in yourself.
“There's a lot of mental stuff involved, some days they feel it and some days they don't, but watching them progress and grow in it is an amazing gift,” said Spencer Taylor, of Massachusetts.
For them, it's about the community that this sport, which is mostly run by volunteers, brings.
“All the parents encourage all the kids, and that's the best part of being here,” said Alex Joyal of Vermont. “We see each other, everyone comes, and it's like a family reunion.”
If you can't attend, the event will be live-streamed. You can watch it here.
