Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-29
AUGUSTA SEES
SKI STUNTS OF
n. H.pRoFEsS|0NAL

Mr.. Oieson of Berlin, ". H. ar
rived in the city, Wednesday with
his long, black smooth skis and on
Wednesday afternoon gave several
demonstrations Of the strenuous,
blood tingling. generally invigorating
sport of skiing. the scene of the
event being Ganeston park. from
specially constructed ''take-of'
which w. H. Gannett had erected, es-
pecially for the purpose. A number
were present to witness the event.
but there would have been many
more present If they had known Mr..
Oleson was to demonstrate. Mr.
Gannett was not informed that the
skier was bringing his skis in time
to inform those interested.
Again this Thursday forenoon Mr..
Oleson will demonstrate and the
event is open to all those who are
interested, who would like to see how
1t is done and would like TO get
pointers from Mr.. Oleson. The
take off," as the construction. from
which the skier gets his start for
the leap, was erected Wednesday and
Mr.. Gannett had a goo 4 sized crew
of men at work. They put the new
board structure up in record time
and even Mr.. Oleson got busy with
the shovel and rake and put the
snow onto the runway.
He made several slides down the
steep incline without the aid of the
take OFF, and showed some very
skilful turns and stops and the like.
Augusta is not yet very well educated
/ in the art of skiing and the reporter
who stood and gssped at the feats.
, Wednesday afternoon is no excep-
| ton. This handicaps the description
of the mans skill
When the take off, was finally
ready for use he made two slides
down and sailed far into the air. II
was 30-foot jump and it could have
been made 60 f ct by Mr.. Oleson, but
the lack OF snow, diminished the
jump. At the take off, in Berlin,
N. H., which by the way, Mr.. Olesol
constructed, he can make a jump OF
125 feet, which in itself is testimony
! for his skill.
Mr.. Oleson ,Vas piled with ques-
tons from the many boys who were
present Wednesday afternoon and
who were anxious to get pointers
from a professional. Mr.. OlesOn,
while he is a man in the prime OF
life, modestly replies that he has
been Skiing for some time. 1t was
Il years ago. that he won a much
! priced trophy at the Lexington,
4 IL, H., a.
, part. He has a boy aged 10 years,
who Mr.. Oleson claims, can do al
most as well as his Dad The young
Oleson boy has been manipulating
skis since he was four years Of age.
Take them when they're young.
That is the time to teach them" MI
Oleson claims. Still he says the old
or ones can learn if they go at il
gradually end are guided by someon
Who knows how. From small:
imp. to a larger one and so on, is,
he path Of progress.
The skis which Mr.. Oleson wear
were presented, him some time az
md he has used them for six year
In that time, only one repair OF an
moment was made on them and thu
vas when he cracked the toe Of or,
of them. He wears a clcverly ar
ranged strap on his ski. 1t is diff
ferent from an ordinary ski strap in
that a frame work Of soft metal,
bound with leather, encases the foot.
The frame is riveted onto the ski and
Mr.. Oleson says he feels certain with
them, that they are on there to stay
or at least stand a lot Of wear and
tear. His skis are grooved and he
considers those the best kind ",Then
with the grooves you know that you
are going straight ahead or where
you want to and that you will not be
Slowing around"
He does not bundle up with nit
tens and unnecessary mufilers. He
goes bare handed and doesn't seem
to be bothered with chapped hands.
When he first goes out of doors in
the winter to ski he washes his hands
in snow. This hardens them. Ski
ing brings into play every muscle in
the lower limbs and some of the up
per part of the body as well.
The onstration of Wednesday
gave an insight into what can be en-
joyed by Augusta lovers of outdoor
sports. The event of this Thursday
forenoon should prove equally inter
esting.