The Andover Outing Club (AOC) had several ski jumpers attend the final summer jumping camp of the year in Lake Placid, New York over the Columbus Day weekend. The last camp was held in conjunction with the US National Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships. AOC had more than half the participants at camp, and AOC alumnus Nick Fairall was competing in the National Championships.

The kids are treated like royalty whenever they go to Lake Placid. They get great coaching during their camp time, they can ride to the top of the jumps for lunch, and they watch competitions from the coaching or judging platforms. The thing that got them the most excited was being able to watch the best men and women jumpers and skiers in the US in competition, and then get coached by them, and then hang out and chat with them.

Nick Fairall won the men’s National Championship, then spent the evening working with the young jumpers, signing helmets, and just talking with the kids. In the women’s competition, reigning World Champion Sarah Hendrickson became the National Champion, just edging out teammate and 10-time National Champion Jessica Jerome. AOC jumpers Sophia Reynolds and Hazel Johnstone got to spend time with both Sarah and Jessica. Needless to say, Sophia and Hazel were very excited.

All the kids had a great time and are desperate for snow so we can start jumping and skiing here in Andover.