First, let me explain that I enjoy watching ski jumping, not participating! I am too much of a coward and too long in the tooth to launch myself off a mountain!
When the F1 season and baseball season have come to an end, I fill the gap (and avoid withdrawal) by following the ski jumping world cup (if I miss one event I am upset). Problem is, I don't know any other fanatics, and my mother (bless her) gets tired of listening to me burble on about these amazing young men. (She pretends not to be bored...)
With the 50th anniversary of the Four Hills competition coming up, not to mention the Winter Olympics it would be great to find someone with whom to discuss these events.

Well Liz, I kind of watch it, but wincing all the way. How about the new snowboard things though? They are great fun to watch.

I was stuck in a hotel with the sports cable channel once and nothing but a major skateboarding championship to watch and I was amazed at how amusing it was, just watching those guys pull up their baggy pants was funny enough as it must take great agility, in fact one of them totally lost his pants in the effort! And he stayed on his board!

I am happy that neither of my children seems to have been attracted to it though!

Ski jumping is pretty fascinating though...they must have a lot of equilibrium.

I knew a woman in California who had lost a leg to cancer as a child and she was a champion downhill skier in competitions for people who'd lost limbs...It was incredible. Some people are just made for their sports no matter what.

PS hope you've checked out the F1 quizzes online, I edited one recently, minardifan's. You'll get a run for your money.

Thanks for the reply Heather. I get a giggle out of the baggy pants skateboarders too, but admire their guts!

I have my favourites amongst the ski jumpers, including the French lad Nicolas Dessum - he won a competition in Japan several years ago now (the only Frenchman - he was 17 at the time - to have done so) but was little noticed simply because the event was in Japan. He is called 'The Feather' because he is so slight in build. Had been off form of late but managed a respectable 17th on Saturday in Italy.
The other is the Russian Valery Kobelev who had a dreadful accident about three years ago. I watched it live (it was ski flying, where they go a very long way) and I thought he was surely dead by the time he bounced to the bottom of the hill. He finished 9th last Saturday! Talk about courage (or is it foolhardiness?)!!
Adam Malysz looks unbeatable this year, he makes it look so easy.
OK, I'll stop burbling on at you now (this is the sort of thing my Mum puts up with every weekend whilst she's visiting me). Oh, just one more thing, keep an eye on your American lads, especially Alan Alborn, they are really doing well this year.
I have played most of minardifan's F1 quizzes, they are really fun and challenging. Thanks for thinking to let me know about them though. I have to respect any person who actually admits to being a Minardi Fan! Like being a Cubs fan in baseball I reckon!
Have a Happy Christmas, don't eat too much turkey!!
Liz