Anders Johnson jumps to win at Flaming Leaves

Anders Johnson of Park City, Utah, overcame non-existent wind and a rain delay Saturday in winning the annual Flaming Leaves 90-Meter Ski Jump in Lake Placid.
ANDERS JOHNSON of Park City, Utah, overcame non-existent wind and a rain delay Saturday in winning the annual Flaming Leaves 90-Meter Ski Jump in Lake Placid, New York.
    Against the backdrop of fall foliage and a festival atmosphere that featured live music, food and beverage, arts and crafts and a children’s zone, Johnson won for the third consecutive time on the 1980 Winter Olympic hill. He previously emerged victorious at the 90 Meter Summer Ski Jump on July 3 and the Masters 90 Meter Ski Jump at New Year’s.
    The yearly fall festival held at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex is offered by the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA).
    The 18-year-old, a member of the U.S. Ski Team and a 2006 Olympian, flew 101 and 97 meters for a total of 263.5 distance and style points. With no updraft to aid the jumpers’ flight, event organizers allowed the skiers to start higher up the in-run to gain more speed. They landed on a synthetic surface that simulates snow when watered.
    “This is a really good hill for me,” Johnson said. “I like it here. It’s great to have a change from my home hill in Park City.”
    Johnson turned back the effort of Nick Alexander, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, who trains in Lake Placid at the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF). Alexander jumped 99.5 and 98.5 meters and tallied 257.5 points to finish second. Third place went to Kyle Lockhart of Barrington, Illinois, who soared 95 and 92.5 meters for 241 points.
    As the second round began, a storm moved into the area accompanied by some thunder and lightning. The system forced the skiers to walk down alongside the in-run and into their nearby locker room, while patrons scurried into the base lodge for cover.
    “We killed the time watching video of the 1986 World Cup on this hill,” said Bill Demong of nearby Vermontville, a member of the U.S. nordic combined team who has served as ORDA/ Lake Placid ambassador in recent years. “It was fun to see where the sport has gone in the past 20 years, from daredevil to precision.”
    Added Johnson, “Yeah, the sport’s changed a lot. It was fun to see those old videos.”
    The Flaming Leaves marked the second leg of the Art Devlin Cup, given annually to the jumper who dominates three events — Chevrolet Summer Ski Jump in July, Flaming Leaves in October and the Masters Ski Jump in January. In winning the first two events in the series, Johnson is now primed to grab the Devlin title this winter.
Demong finished sixth with jumps of 90.5 and 89.5 meters. After a brilliant 2006-07 winter campaign that saw him score a silver medal at the Nordic Combined World Championships as well as a win and a third place in World Cup competition, Demong is busy prepping physically and mentally for this season.
    Brian Wallace of Woodbury, Minnesota, captured the junior division by launching 98.5 and 95 meters. Wallace picked up 244 points. Runner-up was Connor Jacobsen of Woodstock, Illinois, with attempts of 85 and 80 meters for 185.5 points. Cliff Field of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, finished third with jumps of 77 and 83 meters. Field scored 177 points.
    In the women’s bracket, Sarah Hendrickson of Park City, Utah, won with jumps of 91 and 94.5 meters. Hendrickson picked up 241 points. Tara Geraghty-Moats of West Fairlee, New York, was next with 214.5 points, courtesy of 90- and 86.5-meter jumps, while Lake Placid’s Nina Lussi wound up third after jumping 76 and 71 meters. Lussi was awarded 151.5 points.