The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-02-21
some THRILLING LRAPS.
SKI CONTESTANTS MAKE ONE
HUNDRED FEET At A BOUND.

In the North and West-h aIeanS sof
Travel In Severe Winter Weather.
Skiing, the queen Of winter sports in
Norway, is rapidly becoming popular in
several sections of this country. In
Minnesota, where there is a predOmi-
nance OF Norwegians and Swedes, the
sport has taken firm hold. 1t is also
obtaining a widespread popularity in
two of the Pacific coast states-Oregon
and Washington. The sport. as far as
being exciting and the taking Of
chances is concerned, surpasses any Of
the American games and pastimes.
Skiing, originally adopted, and car
ried, on, as a necessary means of loco
motion in districts where snow lies deep
and highways are buried or unknown,
has of late years been reduced to a
pleasure and an art by the youth of
Norway. The, ski-the same word as
something to slide, on-consists of a
thin, narrow plank of wood, seven to
ten feet in length. rounded and curved
upward at the toe, and furnished with
straps or thongs in the center for
fastening to the foot. On skis one can
proceed wherever SNOW covers the
ground-on fiat land. UP and down hills
and through forests. BY means of skis
one is able, easily and speedily, to pass
places where it would be almost i'm
possible for a pedestrian or horse to
travel. the skis preventing the man from
sinking more than an inch or SO in the
OF II all n
him to glide even on fiat ground.
Skiing gives a peculiar sensation of
independence of obstacles which worry
the walker in SHOWS. Few sports give
such an opportunity of displaying pre-
sence of mind and courage when it is
necessary to avoid hindrances by sharp
turns at the right moment or take
chances Of a difficult run. A. skilled
skier possesses absolute control of his
skis. even when going at lightning
speed. and he is able to make NOM
entary turns to whichever side he will.
He can also make long jumps and per-
form other difficult feats.
Skiing competitions are held in all
parts of Norway, and give a zest to the
sport, which is constantly increasing.
The great meeting at Holmenko 1len;
near Christiania, is usually held about
the middle of February when conditions
are at their best. The best ski leapers
meet there from all parts of the coun-
try. The competition consists of two
trials-a cross-country time race of
about thirteen miles. and leaping trial
on the slope of a hill. The distance is
synr ltxr in, oh Nj
half. This trial, however, is of minor
Importance to a spectator. The chop
rend," or leaping competition, is held
the day following the long race.
Out on the snow covered. ice of the
lake which forms the plain at the base
of the hill where the competition is
held, thousands await the signal for the
contest to begin, while the long, white
slope clearing the forest on the oppo-
site HILL the declivity on which the tri-
al is to take place, is clothed with; the
forms of judges, starters, sweepers and
scrapers, its sides lined by military and
crowds of climbing youths. Clustered
at the summit are the assembled conf
petitors. The slope itself is one hum
bred and eighty-six yards in length and
rises to a height Of nearly one hundred
and sixty feet above the plain, while
the platform of snow, or hop" from
which the leap is made, is placed
about two thirds of the way down. The
slope is very steep and the descent on
ski takes only from seven to nine Sec
onds, of which two or three seconds are
passed in the free air during the leap.
The starting signal is given and a
dark speck rapidly descends the slope.
Then, like ball rebounding from the
ground. there arises the skier, who,
making a curve in the air, alights on
the slant beneath, shoots downward OH
to the level with lightning speed and
finally pulls up, by rapid and grace
full turn, facing the hill so speedily de-
scended.
The performance looks well from all
points, but possibly best when facing
it at some little distance by which the
skies can be seen in his flight from sum-
nit to base. The leap is of considerable
length, commonly about nine feet. but
one hundred feet is not unusual and
even one hundred and twenty feet has
Deen reached. All observer VINO Tor the
first time views such contest is invol-
unfairly seized by a. thrilling sensation
when he sees the men swooning
through the air and effectually per-
forming a feat which seems impossible
of accomplishment.
Naturally some of them do not sue
coed In standing erect on their feet
when landing. and fall and roll over
and over or glide spread eagle fashion
to the foot Of the hill, enveloped in
clouds of snow. 1t seems a marvel how
the contestants escape injury by such
tumbling, when 1t is remembered that
leap of ninety feet represents a fall
of forty-f1ve feet from the level of the
ledge, yet accidents very seldom occur
at these meetings. In every case the
performance requires high degree of
both skill and courage.
Skiing is participated in by women as
we'll as men, and many thrilling perfor-
mances are made by the members of
the gentler sex.-New York Sun.