By Shannon Lukens.

Photo Credit: Elisa Maines – Haley Brabec and Eva Minotto at the 2022 Winter Start Nordic Combined Ski Race

Training continues Wednesday through Friday for athletes in the Winter Start ski jumping and Nordic Combined, with competitions this weekend at Howelsen Hill. About 60 to 70 athletes will be participating at Howelsen Hill all weekend, with awards Sunday afternoon. The event is hosted by Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and the Rocky Mountain Division. It is one of three tryouts for the Junior World Championship team and the final Youth Olympic qualifier.

 

Photo Credit: Charlie Karleen – Niklas Malacinski at the 2022 Winter Start HS100 Jump

Press Release from Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Dec. 4, 2023.

SSWSC to Host Winter Start Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Event December 9-10, 2023

The first ski jumping and Nordic combined event of the 2023-2024 season, U.S. Cup Opener and final Youth Olympic Qualifier

 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. – The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Rocky Mountain Division will host the Winter Start ski jumping and Nordic combined event this weekend, December 9-10, 2023. Winter Start is the first event of the 2023-2024 ski jumping and Nordic combined winter season. The event is also a U.S. Cup opener, one of three Junior World Championship Team tryouts, and the final Youth Olympic Qualifier.

Spectators are invited to watch North America’s best U16 and older ski jumping, and Nordic combined athletes compete at Howelsen Hill. Approximately 60-70 athletes will participate in the event.

Ski jumping will occur on the HS75 meter and HS100 meter (HS=Hill Size) jumps at Howelsen Hill, with spectating available at the base of the ski jumps or in front of Howelsen Lodge.

On Saturday, December 9, the ski jumping competition will take place from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the 5-kilometer cross country race will start at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, December 10, the ski jumping competition will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, and the 10-kilometer race will begin at 3 p.m.

Awards will occur at the Howelsen Hill awards podium at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.

More information on the schedule, start lists, and results can be found on www.sswsc.org under events. The schedule is subject to change. All events will be live-streamed HERE.

 

Athletes will be training at Howelsen Hill all week before the event:

• Tuesday, December 5 – Visiting Team Open Training: 1–2:30 p.m., 4–6 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 7 – Visiting Team Open Training: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 4–6 p.m.
• Thursday, December 8 – Visiting Team Open Training: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 4–6 p.m.
• Friday, December 9 – Open Training: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 4–6 p.m.

 

Weekend Competition Schedule: 

Saturday, December 9

• Ski Jumping Competition, HS100 & YOG Qualifier, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Nordic Combined Cross Country Races, U20 & Sr./5km, 3 – 3:20 p.m., Rodeo Arena

• Awards at 4:15 p.m., Howelsen Hill Awards Podium

 

Sunday, December 10

• Ski Jumping Competition, HS100, US Cup, 10 a.m. – 12:30 noon 

• Nordic Combined Cross Country Races, U20 & Sr/10 & 5km, 3-3:30 p.m., Rodeo Arena 

• Awards at 4:15 p.m., Howelsen Hill Awards Podium