"Aude Volare" -- Dare to Fly! New Heights, Online the electronic newsletter of Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping

Sig Evensen Update

Sig and his wife Birgit have sold their home in New City, NY and are presently in residence in Norway, where they have owned a home for a number of years. On just the second day in Norway, Birgit fell and broke her hip. She has received a hip replacement, but complications have slowed her recovery.

Always the intrepid traveler, Sig had already purchased an airline ticket to be in Lake Placid for the Flaming Leaves jumping festivities, but that was not to be. His son Sven says that Sig still hopes to be here for the New Year's jumping. [ Click here ] for a little more background on Sig.

Earle Murphy was married Thursday, October 7, in his home in Lake Placid. Earle met his bride, Nadja, when he travelled to Lysva and Perm in the Urals of Russia for the 1998 International Masters Ski Jumping. He returned to Russia several times to visit her, and they are now married and plan to live in Lake Placid with Nadja's delightful six year old daughter, Ekaterina.

The 25 year old bride was attended by Karla Keck who got to know Nadja during a couple of weeks living in Murphy's bunkhouse and training at the Olympic jumps. Bob Hein was the best man, and just a handful of friends witnessed the ceremony. The scheduling was a balancing act between the immigration and marriage laws, so there was not time for lots of advance preparation.

Earle and Nadja plan to repeat their vows in a larger ceremony this fall with the bride's family, as soon as Earle can cut through the red tape involved with a trip to Russia.

Ekaterina is attending school in Lake Placid, and Nadja is studying English in preparation to resume here profession in Physical Therapy. Earle is thinking young, not just in his family life, but also in his athletic life. Last winter he put on his skis and participated as a guest in Russia's National Masters Ski Jumping Championships.

At age 18, he had gained international recognition as one of the major talents of the era in ski jumping. His life took a dramatic turn when he joined the renowned 82nd Airborne Paratroop Division at the beginning of World War II and engaged in six major European combat invasions in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France (Normandy), Holland and Belgium. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic action in France and the Purple Heart for wounds received during the Battle of the Bulge.

Jay Rand Sr. is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eileen (Hall) Rand of Bloomingdale; three sons Jay Jr, Stephen, and John Rand, all of Lake Placid; three daughters Judy Scammell of Lake Placid, Barbara Ryan of Horseheads and Mary Farr of Williamsport, PA; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

There will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Oct 19, at 2 pm at St. Agnes Church, Lake Placid.
Donations may be made to High Peaks Hospice or to American Legion Post 326, Main Street, Lake Placid. (Edited from Plattsburgh Press Republican.)

Two sons carried on the ski jumping tradition. John (Curly) Rand was an alpine racer who also jumped until a few years ago. Jay Rand Jr. was a world class jumper with sucesses in NCAA, National and International competitions. He was venue manager at the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jump complex for 15 years, until moving to the top position at Whiteface Mountain.