The US coaches Gregor Linsig, Nick Hendrickson and Tomas Matura are going to compete in the World Master Ski Jumping Championships in Planica (SLO).
The foundation of their participation was laid 15 years ago.
Canadian Gregor Linsig, who was coaching Ski Jumper Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes at the time, made a fateful bet with his 16-year-old athlete:
Should Boyd-Clowes ever make a World Cup, World Championships or Olympic Winter Games podium in his career, Linsig would compete in the World Master Ski Jumping Championships that same year.
Therefore, in 2022, still certain that he would never have to cash in on that bet, the Canadian Mixed Team bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing was both joy and shock for Linsig.
But as a good sportsman, who keeps his promises, the 47-year-old now faces the challenge in Planica from 8th – 10th September after starting training in the summer.
“As Gregor was making preparations for his jumping competitions in Planica, Tomas Matura (Head Coach, Women’s USA NC) and myself were discussing the story of the bet and how excited our surrounding Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined community is to see Gregor jump again”, explains Nick Hendrickson, head coach of the Nordic Combined men.
“Because Gregor is a bit nervous to jump again, Tomas and I offered him our support and told him that if we can turn this event into a fundraiser, we would jump with him for the team competition on September 9th on the HS80.”
Keeping in mind, that Linsig didn’t jump in 23 years, Hendrickson in eight years and Matura in four years, the challenge is now particularly great for everyone involved.
Fortunately, there’s support coming from Linsig’s former athlete Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, who is on hand with training tips.
“Our USA Nordic Combined team is made up of great staff and athletes that support each other. It’s for this reason that we as coaches want to show our support to the athletes and raise some money in the process”, says Hendrickson.
Currently, nine men and three women are part of USA’s Nordic Combined national team, who are all looking forward to seeing their coaches jump again, while bringing awareness to their difficult situation.
“Most of our athletes are covering all of their own costs for both training and competition trips, and all the money raised in this fundraiser will go directly to the Nordic Combined team to help support the team and keep the good momentum that we have going.”
Those interested can support the project “Jumping for the athletes” here:
https://donate.usanordic.org/give/425750/#!/donation/checkout
Info about International Master Ski Jumping:
