Darryl Landstrom
Immediate Past Chair USSS Alpine Sport Committee
Board Member USA Nordic
darryl@dlandstrom.com
REFLECTING ON NUMBERS IN THE 60’s & 70’s
I grew up ski jumping in Duluth, MN in the 60’s and early 70’s and have many fond memories. Chester Park Ski Club was my home club but there were two other active junior clubs as well as the senior club in Duluth back then. It was not unusual to train under the lights with many of my competitive friends. It was also not unusual to have more than 50 competitors at our tournaments, including high school events.
Fondulac was a 70 meter International Ski Jump located in Fondulac in far west Duluth. The Duluth Ski Club hosted many international tournaments which I participated in in the late 60’s. Watching the Japanese in flight with a red dot on their white gloves is a sight I will never forget. Gene Kotlarek and his brothers, John Balfanz, Adrian Watt are just a few of the ski jumpers that gained notoriety in that era. The attached screen shot reflects just a portion of the field in 1968. Just imagine the possibilities today.
We rely on our alumni, many of which are in the U.S. Ski Jumping Hall of Fame, to give back to the sport that delivered so many fond memories. This is especially important during the Holiday Season.
Be Well, Stay Safe
