| Harris Hill in Southern Vermont Arts & Living |
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Harris Hill Ski Jump in the winter issue of Southern Vermont Arts & Living Harris Hill Ski Jump
A Valentine’s Gift to Brattleboro
A Story of amazing volunteer diligence, out-of-the-box thinking, local ‘can-do’, and stunning generosity
The 85th Harris Hill Ski Jumping Competition, one of Brattleboro’s longest standing traditions, returns with a brand new look and feel February 14 & 15, 2009, and will once again feature the world's best ski jumpers competing in the two-day event.
The only 90-meter ski jump in New England, Harris Hill has been completely redesigned and rebuilt with a new takeoff, re-graded landing, and new spectator steps by Bell Engineering of Spofford, NH and J Evans Construction of Dummerston and their teams of local builders and tradesmen, making it the newest and most modern of its size in the country.
As the new hill neared completion on schedule—and none too soon for the construction team that faced the challenges of working on a frighteningly steep incline in bitter cold weather, Pat Howell, Co-chair of the organizing committee that runs the competition reflected, “I am absolutely in awe…this is the culmination of three years of tenacious volunteer effort, out-of-the-box thinking, local ‘can do’ attitude and stunning generosity.”
The process of upgrading the hill was challenging on many fronts, most notably in the areas of engineering, fundraising, and an almost impossible construction timetable. It took three designs to get one that was affordable, met FIS (International Federation of Skiing) standards and USSA (United States Ski Association) safety requirements. “We were asking a lot of this design, and certainly there were no off-the-shelf models to go by,” notes Rex Bell, former US Ski Team coach who oversaw the design and technical aspects of the new hill.
With the design under way, the organizing committee took on the challenge of raising $380,000 in a highly competitive, local fundraising climate. “We were advised not to undertake this campaign in light of the heavy capital fundraising that was going on in the community,” explains Liz Richards, co-chair of the fundraising effort. “But we felt we had no choice. We were not going to let this much loved, Brattleboro tradition die on our watch,” adds Richards. The larger community stepped up, raising $257,000 through donations and the “purchase” of steps (to the take off) in their names at $1,000 each. A generous gift from the Manton Foundation in New York for $133,000 completed the campaign—or so they thought.
Engineering designs were on round three and costs had catapulted. The price of steel had doubled since fall, 2007. The budget was now $575,000. They needed an additional $188,000.
With time running out to complete fundraising and complete construction in time to host a competition in 2008, members of the organizing committee individually guaranteed a loan for the $188,000—a huge leap of faith for this local group. On the day after the bank loan was signed, the Manton Foundation came to the rescue with the full amount needed to complete the jump. “Someone is looking out for us,” said Richards.
The final challenge? It’s was mid-October and construction needed to be completed before the snow flies. The construction crew, a team of ‘can-do’ local contractors with J Evans Construction, brought in the steel, a crane and heavy equipment. They welded on sight, dug holes for footings, poured the concrete, graded the hill, built a road to the top of the hill so equipment could get to unimaginable spots, and erected the towers that make up the inrun—a formidable sight from Cedar Street.
“Basically, we had a hill to start with and had to rebuild it, to meet FIS specifications,” notes Jason Evans. “The pitch of the hill was different in certain areas, which needed to be changed. We hauled 5000 yards of fill up to the takeoff area which then got pushed down over the entire hill to re-contour everything," explains Evans.
“We fabricated 12 steel towers in varying degrees of height. On top of the towers we the built the decking. Some of the towers are as high as 44 feet tall. The whole job was a challenge, because of the steepness of the hill," but you work through it and make it happen."
And they did it before the end of November. That, and much more. The organizing committee hopes to ‘sell’ all the steps as a way to support the enhancements that were not part of the reconstruction budget. Today, over 80 steps have been sold to individuals, families and groups who will see their names on the steps. There are over 200 steps total.
The Legacy
It’s said that Fred Harris built the original ski jump in 1922 for $2,000 with help from local ski enthusiasts. Over the years, Harris Hill has been the site of 18 national and regional championships, with the most recent in 1992 when it hosted the National Championships.
Crowds of thousands would come from near and far in their best furs (now replaced with GoreTex and down) and regalia to witness the event.
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Only an occasional snow drought and World War II have interrupted this annual tradition, until recently when the jump fell into disrepair. This year, approximately 20 athletes from the US and Europe will compete at Harris Hill. The organizing committee has also invited members of the women’s National Team, who did not receive an Olympic bid for 2010 as their male teammates did.
The competition begins each day at 12 Noon and ends around 3:30 p.m. with the crowd-pleasing favorite, the Target Jump where jumpers pull out all the stops and compete to see who can land closest to the target painted on the hill.
Pull out statement: Harris Hill Ski Jumping Competition is a unique opportunity to watch ski jumpers from around the world soar at speeds of 60 mph as they compete in what’s called The Original Extreme Sport. But it’s the chance to see them compete on a jump that may never have been rebuilt without the dedication of Southern Vermont’s own that will make this event soar to new heights in February.
The Details
The 85th Annual Harris Hill Ski Jump
Saturday & Sunday, February 14 &15
Located on Cedar Street, off of Route 30
Starts at Noon and goes until dark (around 3:30 p.m.)
Concessions, a bonfire, a beer tent and event souvenirs will all be on-site.
Discount Tickets: Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce -- $12 for adults and $8 for kids (age 6-12) – kids age five and under are free. At the gate: $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
For full schedules, results, and volunteer opportunities, go to: HarrisHillSkiJump.org. Those interested in purchasing a step (which is tax deductible), should contact Liz Richards at 802-258-0975.
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For the Press
Conditions at the Hill
74°F
Brattleboro
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 31%
Wind: NE at 1 mph
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Sat
77°F 50°F
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Sun
79°F 60°F
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Mon
77°F 63°F
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Tue
83°F 68°F
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