Thursday, August 23, 2001
Canada hopes to soar again
By CAMERON MAXWELL -- Calgary Sun
Officials are hoping an infusion of cash combined with a rebuilt ski jump will be the cure for Canada's ailing ski jumping team.
Canadian Olympic Development Association head John Mills yesterday announced $59,000 in additional funding for ski jumping, bringing the total to a record $384,000 over the past two years.
That, combined with a $344,000 overhaul of the K89 jump at Canada Olympic Park, are two big steps towards getting a Canadian jumper to the Olympics for the first time since Horst Bulau qualified for the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary.
"This building (COP) is a landmark and when people drive by, we want them to see that we're committed to putting Canadians onto the podium," said Mills.
But Mills is quick to point out getting a Canadian jumping into the Olympics is going to take time -- a lot of time.
"We recognize that getting an athlete to that level is something that can't be done in six months or even two years. Developing a high-performance athlete takes eight to 10 years," he said, adding officials are pegging 2006 or 2010 as the years a Canadian should enter the upper echelon of competition that is the Olympics.
More than 50 young Canadians are gunning for a shot at the 2010 Games and Mills said the formula for getting these 14- and 15-year-olds onto the podium is simple.
"The kids need to have confidence, a place to train and competition," said Mills, adding CODA is currently in the third year of an athlete rebuilding process.
And another part of that reconstruction is this weekend's Continental Cup Competition at COP -- no snow needed.
Skiers slide down the ramp and land on watered down artificial turf, which makes a great substitute for snow.
There will be 50 jumpers competing from 10 countries including Japan, Finland, Austria and the U.S. when the action gets underway Saturday.
"We're going to see some tremendous jumping this weekend because it's a high-level competition," said Ron Reed, chairman of Ski Jumping Canada, adding the competition is just one level below World Cup calibre.
"It's going to allow our team to open up their competitive careers on a familiar hill."
There will be 14 Canadians jumping when the action gets underway at 11 a.m., and wraps up on Sunday.
The events on Saturday are preceded by a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
2002 Games Ski Jumping Coverage
