The Fløybakken jumping complex has four up-to-date jumping hills. Here
you see the K-25, 43 and 67 meter jumps. They were all built in 1994-95.
Notice the ski lift at the right, serving the 67 and 90 meter hills.
Unfortunately, it was often broken during the IMC.
Kong Olai I Eighty seven year old Olai Lie is surely the world's
oldest active ski jumper.
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The big hill (K-90) shown here was constructed in 1989-90 and hosted Norway's
National Nordic Combined Championships soon after. Lighting was excellent
for the Friday evening 90 meter special jump. Indeed, any jump
complex north of the Arctic circle must have good lights, because daylight
jumping is simply not an option for a major part of the winter.
Bart Lockhart (USA) with a few members of his fan club.
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Two important reasons why the IMC-2000 was such a success:
Chairman Terje Torkildsen (right) and Knut Ersvik.
Early in the week, Terje and his office crew were in the office from early morning until
late at night, and when the action shifted to Fløybakken, Terje might be seen
at the hill, selling programs, or rearranging fences. "Whatever it takes!"
The hill preparation crew led by Evert Karlssen also had their hands
full with the incessant snows. And Competition Chairman
Jens Unosen not only kept
activities at the hill running smoothly, he put on a start-number and jumped in
the 67 and 90 meter competitions!
Guttorm Bakke had already won his class in the 67 meter competition.
Returning to the hotel after the 43, he was asked "Two gold medals?"
Bakke answered coyly, "No...13!" indicating his total
gold medal count for IMC events from 1990 to 2000. But Bakke
does not hold the record for IMC golds...
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Chorus Novus, a group of local singers who entertained the IMC
participants, accompanied by a live band. The program demonstrated
just how thoroughly American culture has penetrated, even in the far
north of Scandinavia. The program consisted almost entirely
of American popular songs of the twentieth century.
The honor of most IMC gold medals belongs to Nils Eriksen (72) from
Kirkenes, in the far north-east of Norway, almost in Russia.
Nils has earned at least seventeen gold medals in Special Jumping
and Nordic Combined.
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The Mayor of Rognan is made an honorary American at the banquet. (photo by Bart)
No sacrifice too great! These three Russians travelled
to Rognan from Perm in the Urals (host of the 1998 IMC), 3100 miles
in six days, driving an old Volga automobile. With no transit visas for Finland
and
Sweden, they had to travel the long way up to Kirkenes and down
through all of northern Norway. They came, they skied, they turned around
and left, taking almost five days to get back home. We hope in the near future to publish
a report from these intrepid travelers. (photo by Bart)
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Kurt Brausse (left) and Klaus Günther are the first skiers from Germany
to participate in the IMC, and each one took a bronze medal back home.
We hope that they will be just the
first of a growing number of participants from Germany and neighboring ski
countries. (photos by Bart)
The Germany/USA team placed fourth of five in the Saturday team competition,
but it ranked first in total age. The five members (left to right): Bart
Lockhart, Klaus Günther, Don West, Tim Denisson, Kurt Brausse averaged
54 years old.
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Teams of the Nations, at the opening ceremonies. (The white spots
are not snowballs, just snowflakes magnified by the camera flash.)
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View of the fjord from the dining room of the Norlandia Hotel.
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After the last medal ceremony, before leaving the hill, a group of
Norwegians rendered a new song, "Veteran Hopp" (Masters jumping)
composed, we are told, by the multitalented Guttorm Bakke.
Dancing in the snow at the opening ceremonies.
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At the banquet, not to be outdone, the Swedish contingent, party animals
of the IMC, delivered their own original Masters Ski Jumping song.
All of Rognan was dressed up for the IMC, this model ski jump
stood in front of a downtown store. The spark (kicksled)
at the right is the standard form of transportation over the
snow-covered streets, used by kids and moms, right up
to octagenarians.
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Looking down on Rognan (photo by Bart)
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The Rognan waterfront, our hotel is at the right (photo by Bart)
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Here comes another one of those pesky snowstorms, blowing
up the Fjord. (photo by Bart)
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The little kids got out of school for a day.
Our friends from Estonia.
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The bigger kids got a geography lesson, and made hats with national flags.
Five of the Swedes, always ready for a party! This time they celebrate third place in
the team competition.
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