Jennifer Wingard – December 24th, 2021

14 Comments

  1. Walter Malmquist

    WOW!!! What a GREAT story well told! The hairs on the back of my neck stood and tingled throughout as the story brought back so many memories!

    The anxieties I experienced when skiing a hill of a new/larger size… K20… K35… K65… K90… and the feelings/thrills of victory (and relief) when completing my first jumps on those hills. In retrospect I have remembered and appreciated the support (encouragement, tolerance, and patience) I received from family members and friends and coaches. I now know that without my family and friends and coaches that I would have been stuck on top of those hills and would have never felt those thrills of victory (over my fears).

    I love reading all Story Project stories, but parents’ perspectives are priceless!

    1. Jennifer Wingard

      Wow, thank you so much for the lovely feedback! I was nervous writing this story as a non-jumper, so I’m delighted it resonated for you!

  2. Bob Averill

    Great story of determination & grit!

  3. Dani Hinkley

    Fantastic story. My daughter wrote her college essay about the time at Newport, NH and a 20 meter jump on a trestle. Mama bear confidence for our daughters.

  4. Tom Calcagni

    Great story Jennifer!! You’ve captured and perfectly verbalized what, I think, is the root of what makes us all have so much respect for each other within the sport!!

  5. Regina

    Great Story!!!
    Go Jamal!!!!

  6. Debora Davis

    Great story Jen.

  7. Ronalie A Moss

    My heart was in my throat just reading about my granddaughter jumping so far, even before I saw the picture. This is skilled writing, Jen, and admire you for this ability and for producing a skilled ski jumper! Love always, Mom

  8. Jay Martin

    I had similar feelings at age 7 to take our Theodore Wirth 30 m. It took $3 in1951. After,I was not convinced ,so dad took me back to the snow bumps at Death Valley, Baby 100 and Fruens Mill. At age 9 I was full time K 30 and age 11 our K55. Bush Lake. Vivid memories to this day!

  9. Dorcas DenHartog

    Thank you, mama bear! Wonderful story!

  10. Brooke Lange

    You did the “right thing” as a parent which is not always the easiest thing to do. You are so right that it is not so much about the ski jumping as much as it is facing fears. You have an indomitable daughter and should be very proud of your efforts as a parent. I was actually just thinking the other day about the courage it took for me to do a back flip off the high dive and how I have not done back flips for decades. However, the courage I learned that day I use all the time.

  11. Karen Jordan

    I am not a ski jumper or even a parent, but your story just gripped me! You are a wonderful mom and a very talented writer!

  12. Debbie Hatch

    Jen, I can tell you as Jamay’s aunt just how VERY PROUD I am of her achievements in ski jumping. while we are thousands of miles apart, and I have never be seen her jump, I get excited every time I hear an update on her ever upward ( and show I say down the hill) progress. I remember seeing her with skis on at a young age, whilst wearing butterfly wings. Tell Jamay I am thinking of her the week of the 26th, will be sending hugs and good thoughts and well wishes. I’ve been in some of those mom/child struggles and they are never easy, but always worthwhile. Keep us posted and Happy Jumping Jamay. We look forward to seeing you at some Olympic Games in the future. Love you ladies !!!!!

  13. ralph hatch

    Great writing and photos by my lovely daughter in law about my fantastic grand daughter

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