Maintaining some normalcy in a time that is anything but

The 95-year-old tradition of having ski jumping in Salisbury in February continues this year, despite a worldwide pandemic and the tough economic challenges that all businesses face, including those in the Tri-state region that support the volunteer-run event in so many ways. These times of COVID-19 have thwarted many in their usual fundraising and activities, even the nonprofit that runs the ski jumps, the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. SWSA had to cancel a major fundraiser this year, the Brew Ski Fest that many look forward to annually, but the organization was able to hold a fundraising golf tournament, even sharing some of the proceeds with the Jane Lloyd Fund. Such creativity and motivation are what give the rest of us inspiration to keep going through the difficulties of pandemic life.

The consistently undaunted group of volunteers who make up SWSA aren’t stopped by much. After all, they have to battle unpredictable weather conditions every year to make the ski jumping conditions in Salisbury the best they can be. Every year there seems to be a new problem to overcome, and every year new solutions are found. 

But could they have expected a pandemic to be their challenge in 2021 when they were debriefing after the 2020 jumps were done? Not likely, but they have faced it down and modified the events enough so there will be responsible distancing and careful, safe interaction while the jumpers compete. Seeing them soar through the cold air every year is thrilling for spectators, as it surely is for them, so it is uplifting to know they are continuing to take part in their sport and sharing it with their fans. 

There are a lot of ski jumping fans in Salisbury, and throughout the entire Tri-state region. Almost everyone in the town of Salisbury takes some part in supporting the events of Jumpfest weekend, coming up Feb. 12-14. Just take a look at the event’s program that was in The Lakeville Journal and Millerton News last week, and distributed throughout the Tri-state region. You will find many, many names of those who help with grooming the hills, measuring, making snow or selling ads for the program, among many other tasks that must be done to make the event go off without a hitch. Their hard work makes Jumpfest weekend one of the best experiences in outdoor sports in the Northeast, this newspaper will argue, and the town of Salisbury is welcoming to all who come to see the jumpers sail through the air. 

While the crowd will be more controlled in size this year due to the pandemic, and some of the surrounding celebrations, like the Snow Ball and the Human Dog Sled Race, will have to wait for next year, there will be plenty to engage those intrepid winter sports lovers who take advantage of being able to watch the jumpers glide off the hills in Salisbury. Grab your masks, your COVID behaviors of distancing and sanitizing, and your love of winter and ski jumping, and root on the courageous and skilled athletes who will jump in Salisbury this week. 

Many, many thanks to those athletes, and to all the volunteers at SWSA, as well as to all the businesses, individuals and organizations that support them, for continuing this spectacular event once again in the face of the pandemic. Here’s to the hope that next year will be back to whatever may be normal in the aftermath of COVID-19.

For more on the ski jumping on Feb. 12, 13 and 14, see the program, and go to www.jumpfest.org.

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