Women ski jumpers expected to hear Olympic fate today

VANCOUVER, BC– Today is “D” day for a group of women ski jumpers locked in a battle between the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) about start rights at the upcoming Olympic Winter games hosted here. Today is the second and final day of the BC Appeals Court session, with a session to start at 10 AM local time, and proceedings lasting until about 4 PM, in front of a three-judge panel. Today marks exactly three months to go before the Games’ opening ceremony.

According to observers inside the courtroom yesterday, the three judges seemed deeply engaged by the arguments coming from both VANOC lawyer George Macintosh and the lead council for the plaintiffs, Ross Clark. Said one insider last night, “the judges are very attentive and are giving both sides a full and fair hearing.” Mr. Macintosh was quoted in this morning’s Vancouver Sun newspaper as saying “Nothing VANOC did triggered this lawsuit to begin with, it’s about what somebody else did.” The women’s group is unable to file legal action against the IOC in Canada.

Deedee Corradini, the president of Women’s Ski Jumping USA, who has been pushing the case, said after the first day in court, “I am optimistic that right will prevail.”

In 2006 the IOC voted not to include women’s ski jumping in the 2010 Games, noting that the sport did not meet minimum requirements for inclusion into the Olympic program

Attorneys for both sides will proceed with closing arguments today.

Ski Racing will provide breaking news on court proceedings later today.

by Peter Graves