Jumping over Innsbruck

Every year, just after Christmas, is a ski jumping competition in Innsbruck, part of the Four Hills Tournament that takes place in Germany and Austria. Markus was sorry we missed it last year (all 20,000 tickets were sold out by the time we investigated), so we made sure to get tickets early this year.

The event is at the Bergisel Schanze, just outside of Innsbruck’s city center. So our gang jumped on a street car and joined the hoards hiking up to the viewing area.

The large bowl where the ski jumpers land, and where the crowds view the event, means that there really isn’t a bad spot in the house.

The view from Bergisel is, well,…

skijump1

stunning. It was a perfect clear day, ideal for viewing.

We were all dressed up in our winter warmest, and Nicole brought a big pitcher of glühwein and lots of sandwiches.

Friends Tom and Nicole
Friends Tom and Nicole
Renata, Ryan and Rebecca (don't think I didn't have problems with those names all week!)
Renata, Ryan and Rebecca (don't think I didn't have problems with those names all week!)
Markus, Annie and bundled-up me
Markus, Annie and bundled-up me

Whenever an Austrian was about to jump, the crowd went crazy with cheers and horns and cow bells and flag waving.

The crowd goes wild
The crowd goes wild
Annie was an ardent flag-waver
Annie was an ardent flag-waver

It was excellent viewing, but the pictures of the jumpers turned out to be a bit of Where’s Waldo?.

Can you find the flying man in the trees?
Can you find the flying man in the trees?

And to top it all off, a Tirolean, Gregor Schlierenzauer, won.

DSC03677

He is a 19-year-old phenomenon, who has won several races during the season and is one of the favourites for the Vancouver Olympics.

I thought I would enjoy the day, but instead I completely loved it! It was so much fun. And Annie managed to make it through 4 hours outside and still keep her smile. She was a superstar. We are talking about trying to make all four races next January and becoming official ski jumping groupies. And to think I used to hate winter.

One Reply to “Jumping over Innsbruck”

  1. Sounds like great fun … what an adventure! The scenery is so beautiful. You’re one lucky woman, Hillary Samson.

    Love you, Lori

Comments are closed.