JIM VILK
Akron, OH
jimvilk@gmail.com
Many of you reading this have experienced the thrill of ski jumping personally, or you’re a relative or friend of someone who has. I don’t fall into either category. The closest I’ve gotten is on an uncrowded escalator. On the way down, I’ll lean forward ever so slightly (kids, don’t try this…use the handrails), adjust my hands during “flight,” and at the bottom, I’ll end with a Telemark landing. At my age, that’s good enough for me.
I’m just a fan from Ohio who got hooked on the sport watching the 1972 Olympics, and it’s what I look forward to the most every time the Winter Games return. Since 1994, I’ve been taping the ski jumping on my VCR (well, I missed ’98, and I don’t have a working recorder for ’26 yet). Many times I’ve put in a tape and relived those moments again, but I wanted something more. So, ten years ago, I built what is probably the only ski jumping hill in Ohio.
Now, before you say, “I’ve got to try this hill” and start making travel plans, it’s too small for you and me. The K point is only about 60 centimeters. It’s designed for my old electric football players, and the hill is made out of paper and cardboard.
I took a figure, cut off its base, and glued it to a pair of wooden craft sticks.
Seems like a good idea on paper (literally and figuratively), but does it actually work? See for yourself!
On
https://youtu.be/rfn5qVi3HlU?si=ygXcL5kr-z3BjVlb
Ever since I built this, I wanted to paint my jumper to look like an Olympian, and I wanted to make more of them. And during this time, I’ve also been tweaking my Wall of Ski Jumpers. I finally completed my wall with one jumper from each of the Games from 1984 to 2014. I have three gold medalists, two silver medalists, a bronze medalist, and three who missed the podium. Can you figure out all nine?
I’ve started painting my figures now. I was hoping to have them done for you here, but I’ll be happy if I can finish them in time for the Milano-Cortina Games.
I’m sure I’ll make more in the future. My daughters, who really aren’t into sports, even seemed interested in painting some female jumpers, so our little Olympic village could get pretty crowded someday. I may tweak the hill to make it longer and add some scenery as well. So many possibilities!
