ski jump

Audio Story Hits the High Points of Harris Hill “Like Nothing Else in the World”

by Lissa Weinman | Recreation & Sports
ski jumper

The Harris Hill Ski Jump stands like a beacon on the local landscape. Every February thousands gather at Harris Hill to watch athletes from around the world compete for the Winged Trophy. The thrills of this extraordinary event are brought to  life in the January episode of the Brattleboro Words Trail Podcast as jumpers fly, crowds roar and cowbells ring and three very different voices share their impressions on the hill.

Harris Hill Ski Jump Sunday Results

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

Good afternoon, the Harris Hill Ski Jump 101st addition has wrapped up, to much success. Today’s Fred Harris memorial tournament results are attached, the winner of the event was Slovenia’s Ozbej Kotnik.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of Harris Hill Ski Jump.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Goodbye Rescue, Hello Golden Cross

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard april 19, 2022

The Brattleboro Selectboard voted to enter into a one year contract with Golden Cross Ambulance, effectively ending five decades of Rescue, Inc. collaboration with the town. There was much public discussion, mostly against the way this was handled, but it was approved 5-0.

The board also went back on their previous decision about the ski jump sculpture, now allowing it to be downtown year round but unlit most of the year, sort of like the Valentines hearts that hang year round downtown.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – April 19, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

When you think of the River Garden, you probably think “there’s not enough liquor there.” Well, the Brattleboro Selectboard will take care of that at their next regular meeting.

A new ambulance contract will be signed to officially end the Rescue, Inc. era. The board will also reconsider their decision from their last meeting about whether the downtown metal ski jump sculpture should stay or go in off seasons. And they’ll handle a few financial and administrative matters. 

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Harris Hill Ski Jump – Saturday, February 19, 2022 – Results, Highlights and Quotes

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports
Ole Kristian Baarset Norway winning jump PepsiChallenge 2022 PHOTO Dana Sprague

The 100th anniversary of the Harris Hill Ski Jumping competition got underway today with the Pepsi Challenge and the US Cup competition. With blustery temperatures in the 20s and snow qualls throughout the day, the weather delayed jumping by two hours. However, the record crowd was committed to staying at the hill to cheer on the 40+ ladies and men who jumped at the iconic 90 meter ski jump in Brattleboro, Vermont.

The biggest jump of the day came at the very end of competition by Norwegian Ole Kristain Baarset who jumped 101.5 meters in his second jump. Today was Baarset’s first time ever jumping at Harris Hill and his first trip ever to the United States. The current Harris Hill record is held by Slovenian Blaz Plavic who jumped 104 meters in 2017. 

Harris Hill 100th Anniversary Ski Jump February 19-20, 2022

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

The Harris Hill Ski Jump, the only Olympic sized ski jump in New England, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend, February 18-20 in Brattleboro, Vermont.

On Friday, February 18, an evening of FREE festivities will be held to kick off the weekend and celebrate the community as Harris Hill Ski Jump and The Brattleboro Outing Club celebrate their 100th anniversaries. The evening, which will run from 6-8 pm under the new lights, will include a ski jumping exhibition, local food and beverages and a fireworks display. The Harris Hill Ski Jump and Brattleboro Outing Club were founded by Fred Harris in 1922.

Harris Hill Lights, Fireworks, Night Jumping Planned

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

On Friday, February 18, an evening of FREE festivities will be held to kick off the weekend and honor the fans as Harris Hill Ski Jump and The Brattleboro Outing Club celebrate their 100th anniversaries. The evening, which will run from 6-8 pm under the new lights, will include ski jumping competition, local food and beverages and a fireworks display. The Harris Hill Ski Jump and Brattleboro Outing Club were founded by Fred Harris in 1922.

Vermont’s Harris Hill Ski Jump Releases Commemorative Historic Book for its 100th Anniversary

by Not Signed In | History

Brattleboro, Vermont (November 16, 2021) — Harris Hill Ski Jump, home of New England’s only Olympic-sized, 90-meter ski jump, is kicking off its 100-year anniversary with the publication and release of its history, “Harris Hill Ski Jump, the First 100 Years.” The 120-page soft cover book is narrated in a storytelling cadence by Vermont-based journalist Kevin O’Connor.

This book chronicles the colorful history of Harris Hill Ski Jump in Brattleboro, a celebrated winter sporting event that has attracted athletes and spectators from near and far for 100 years. The history is told in a photo-rich, engaging story format. It is broken up into segments through the years and features many aspects of Harris Hill including a colorful background on its founder Fred Harris, the history of the jump’s coveted Winged Ski Trophy, how Harris Hill helped pave the way for women in ski jumping and much more.

Thoughts On The Ski Jump Sculpture

by cgrotke | Op/Ed
ski jump statue

The Town of Brattleboro has been given a gift of a metal ski-jumper-shaped object that lights up. It will be placed near Wells Fountain during the winter season. The selectboard accepted the gift at their most recent meeting.

The gift is in celebration of 100 years of Harris Hill, a truly unique part of the Brattleboro landscape. Creating a sculpture to celebrate is a good idea. And a free gift of a sculpture is a great thing.

The presentation to the selectboard left me with some questions, though.

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting Agenda and Notes – May 18, 2021

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will continue to review FY22 proposed budgets for the Parking and Utilities Funds at their next regular meeting. Either or both may be adopted.

The board will also buy two new dump trucks, discuss placement of a ski jumper sculpture on Main Street during winter months, figure out details of dependent care reimbursement for themselves, and consider buying a summer sidewalk tractor.  You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro’s Harris Hill Ski Jump Cancelled for 2021

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — Vermont’s Harris Hill Ski Jump is canceling its February 2021 competition due to the Covid-19 pandemic and turning its attention to planning for its centennial in 2022.

“We considered the enormous health risks to the jumpers, coaches and judges coming from around the country and overseas,” event co-directors Kate McGinn and Liz Richards said. “Those risks would extend to the hundreds of volunteers who staff the competition and the thousands of spectators who come from all over New England.”

Slovenian Wins Harris Hill Ski Jump For A Trophy-Retiring Third Time

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A 21-year-old Slovenian bested more than 40 of the world’s top up-and-coming athletes Sunday to win the Harris Hill Ski Jump’s annual namesake Fred Harris Memorial Tournament.

Blaz Pavlic, performing for a crowd of several thousand spectators, retired the event’s Winged Ski Trophy by topping the field for a third year after victories in 2017 and 2019.

“I’ll find a place for it,” Pavlic said of the weighty trophy that has only been retired by five other jumpers in the venue’s nearly century-old history.

Slovenian Scores On First Day of Harris Hill Ski Jump

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A young Slovenian topped a field of 45 of the world’s best up-and-coming ski jumpers Saturday on the first day of this weekend’s Harris Hill Ski Jump.

Blaz Pavlic, 21, won the most total points in front of a crowd of several thousand spectators, with Simon Viehhauser, 18, of Austria second.

In the men’s U.S. Cup, Canden Wilkinson, 17, of Colorado’s Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club finished first, with teammate Niklas Malacinski, 16, second.

Harris Hill Ski Jump Could See Trophy-Retiring Win Feb. 15-16

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports
Harris Hill 2020

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A pair of two-time Harris Hill Ski Jump winners are set to compete for a trophy-retiring third victory at New England’s only Olympic-size venue Feb. 15-16.

Marlboro College graduate Chris Lamb, winner in 2010 and 2013, and Blaz Pavlic of Slovenia, winner in 2017 and 2019, will be among the 26 male and nine female athletes from North America and Europe slated to leap off a 90-meter hill that’s one of just six of its size in the country.

Great Brattleboro Movies at Brattleboro Historical Society

by cgrotke | History

Yesterday I popped in the River Garden to see the Brattleboro exhibit we helped design with BHS, and was met with a surprise. The historical society has been given a treasure trove of old Brattleboro films.

This is a new project for them and they are just getting started. Bill Holiday explained to me that they had been given a big box of family films, and are currently in the process of having them digitized. The goal is to get 4k transfers for high-quality digital use. A few test reels were on display and they were amazing.

Pavlic Wins Harris Hill Ski Jump for Second Time

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports
Harris Hill Ski Jump

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A 20-year-old Slovenian bested 30 of the world’s top up-and-coming ski jumpers Sunday to win the Harris Hill Ski Jump’s annual namesake Fred Harris Memorial Tournament.

Blaz Pavlic, performing for a crowd of several thousand spectators, came within two meters of matching the hill long-distance record of 104 meters he set with his first win in 2017.

“For the hill record, you need a little bit of headwind,” said Pavlic, who jumped this year in calmer conditions.

Slovenian Scores On First Day of Harris Hill Ski Jump

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports
harris hill 2019

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — A young Slovenian bested 32 of the world’s best up-and-coming ski jumpers Saturday on the first day of this weekend’s Harris Hill Ski Jump.

Blaz Pavlic, 20, won the most total points in front of a crowd of several thousand spectators, with Xaver Aigner, 16, of Austria second and Zak Silih, 23, of Slovenia third.

In the men’s U.S. Cup, Canden Wilkinson, 16, of Colorado’s Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club finished first and Hunter Gibson, 17, of Illinois’ Norge Ski Club placed second, even though both experienced falls in the last of their two jumps.

Plans for Refurbished Ski Jump at Living Memorial Park

by cgrotke | Recreation & Sports

Brian Bannon sent along the following PDF drawing of the proposed plans for the ski jump at Living Memorial Park. It features a new wooden inrun trestle (the jump) and an altered hill profile (landing).

Much of the work is to prepare the hill, including installing silt fences to help with erosion, clearing the hillside, stripping the topsoil, re-grading, and re-seeding.  The structure ends near the ballfield, and the bleachers will be moved.

Ski Jump Repairs at Living Memorial Park

by cgrotke | Town Plan

An interesting item in the DRB agenda – fixing up an old ski jump at Living Memorial Park:

“2018-153 Todd Einig for Harris Hill, Inc. for Town of Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Department; Waterfront District; request for Site Plan, steep slope, and Local Act 250 approval to repair an existing 17 meter ski jump at Memorial Park which has been out of use for 20+ years