DARRYL LANDSTROM
darryl@dlandstrom.com
For more than 40 years, whenever a young ski jumper would enter the Chester Park Clubhouse he would yell out “Hey Matt” as a greeting only to hear the reply “I’m Not Hey Matt”. Walter Mattson was a one of a kind guy that cherished relationships with the young ski jumpers that frequented Chester Park. There was always hot chocolate and his famous hot dogs available for purchase and. of course, the opportunity to share stories of ski jumping experiences with Matt.
The beginner jump was Rabbit Ears and was where most young jumpers developed their jumping wings. Matt would proudly host tournaments on the small jump parading the young jumpers to their tunes on kazoo – it was pretty hilarious to say the least. As the
young jumpers developed confidence on Rabbit Ears, Matt encouraged them to progress to Little Chester, the 30 meter jump immediately adjacent. Little Chester had lighting for night training and competitions and hosted many regional meets in which in excess of 100 jumpers from Minnesota and surrounding states would compete. Once Big Chester had been renovated, this 50 meter jump was the next in progression and the site of many tournaments which included the likes of Adrian Watt, Ken Harkins, the Kotlareks – Gene – Glenn and Wayne, Greg Swor and many others that went on to win national championships and participate on the U.S. Olympic Jumping Team.
Matt was modest but well respected. As many of us departed for out of town tournaments each weekend, he would send us off with his favorite saying – “Bring Home the Bacon”! Walter Mattson was a forefather in the early days of ski jumping and served as a role model to many of us who had the privilege of being a part of Matt’s Chester Park Ski Club.
Thanks for the memories Matt!
