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Old Boys from six nations gathered in Villach Austria in mid-June for warm weather competition and fellowship at a Masters Summer Grand Prix ski jumping event organized at the beautiful Alpen Arena by the enthusiatic Villach jumping supporters.
On Friday afternoon, June 16, thirty one Masters aged 30 to 72 competed on the 60 meter hill (joined by four under-aged "guest" skiers). Then Saturday morning, twelve skiers joined in a 30 meter competition. The big hill (90 meter) event followed, with eighteen Masters and two guests.
Ten Masters from host the country were joined by four from nearby Slovenia, ten from Germany and one from Hungary. Eight made the long trip from Norway while intrepid Tony Mihelcic flew half way around the world from Australia. All but four of the thirty four Masters competitors skied on both days and ironman Sindre Helland of Norway, the only skier to compete in all seventeen winter IMC events, skied all three, taking home three gold medals. Richard Diess (AUT), Jan Ringseth (NOR), Arne Jens Jorgensen (NOR), Alfred Groyer (AUT) and Kristof Gaspirc (SLO) all scored double golds.
Kristof Gaspirc has submitted the photo above of the Slovenian team, together with three .pdf files with the competition results:
[ 30 meter ]
[ 60 meter ]
[ 90 meter ]
Kristof has now sent us an almost complete set of podium pictures. We are missing K-60 age groups 70-74, 60-64 and 50-54. We would like to complete the posting, so if you have one of the missing shots, please send a copy.
Thank you. Don West, webmaster.
See the podium pictures for:
[ 30 meter ]
[ 60 meter ]
[ 90 meter ]
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Here is IMC Chairman Klaus Günther's report on the Villach GP. Klaus stepped out of his usual competitor role and served as an official on the Competition Jury for the GP. Klaus writes:
"In best weather the first international masters’ summer grand prix was held with great success by the Alpenarena Villach in Austria. At the starting gate were the masters from Norway, Slovenia, Hungary, Germany and Austria. All masters were in top condition and presented exciting competitions on a high level in the appropriate classes. The groups of the 30-50 year old masters deserve special mention. They didn’t give each other an inch on the K-90 with jumps between 88 and 94m. Everybody had great fun at this event. Richard Diess from Austria, the oldest master at the age of 73, went down the K-60 hill with great routine and absolute confidence. The IMC takes its hat off to him and is happy to have such a master in the IMC family.
"The competition was held according to IMC rules.
"The masters were warmly welcomed in the Alpenarena Villach by IMC president Klaus Günther, Germany, the IMC vice president Torbjørn Haugen, Norway, the IMC TD Alexander Diess and Johann Hörzer, master speaker of the Steierischen ski association, Austria, and Franz Smolina, head of the Alpenarena. Ake Saloniemi, the IMC NC, as well as Anton Zapf, IMC culture, had to excuse themselves due to previous commitments.
"Because of the great reception, the international masters’ summer grand prix is to be held in Villach annually. The date for the second international masters’ summer grand prix was set in cooperation with the Alpenarena for the 27.September to the 30.September. The IMC and the Alpenarena Villach would like to invite all masters and their families and friends for 2007. The announcement will be sent in sufficient time."
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