Jumpfest 2023 triumphs despite crazy weather

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Winter Sports Association Jumpfest got off to a frigid start.

The Friday, Feb. 3 nighttime activities were canceled due to subzero temperatures and high winds.

Saturday morning, Feb. 4, was still bitterly cold at Satre Hill, with daytime temperatures struggling to get into double digits.

However, the wind died down, allowing for the jumping to proceed.

For fans who needed a break from the cold, the Scoville Memorial Library had s’mores. Around 12:30 two adults and two children were toasting marshmallows outside, prior to going inside for the graham crackers and chocolate bars.

Attendance on Saturday was light with 400 attendees both paid and unpaid (children under 12 were admitted free).

Before the action on the big hill, the 20m and 30m hills were busy with junior competition.

Sunday, Feb. 5 was positively balmy, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid-40s.

This attracted a much bigger crowd of 1500. The parking lot of Indian Cave Road was packed and fans parked anywhere they could. There were long lines at the concession stands as vendors did brisk business.

The difference in temperatures was most apparent in the attitude of the crowd to the bonfires on either side of the main jumping area.

On Saturday, people got as close as they could, never mind the smoke and occasional flurry of sparks as more fuel was added.

On Sunday, the crowds stayed several yards away from the fire.

A small kid’s hill saw very little action Saturday, but on Sunday it was full of youngsters sliding down on their backs and fronts, amid much giggling.

The Friday night target jumping was rescheduled for both weekend days, and Kai McKinnon and Schuyler Clapp each won $250.

The Human Dogsled Race was not rescheduled.

Photo by Lans Christensen

Henry Johnstone looked on as the competition took flight at the Big Hill in Salisbury.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

A jumper prepared to launch down Satre Hill during Jumpfest.

Photo by Randy O'Rourke

Will Coffin competed in the Salisbury Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 4. The jumper placed first in the U14 K30 competition.

Photo by John Coston

SWSA’s Islay Sheil placed first in the K20 Open Female competition on Saturday, Feb. 4. Jhala Gregory from Hanover School won silver and SWSA’s Carley Bannerman took bronze.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Fans stayed warm around the ever-burning bonfires situated on each side of the Big Hill.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Kai McKinnon took flight as she soared down Satre Hill and had the longest jump of the day on Saturday reaching 65.5m.

Photo by John Coston

A group of youth jumpers posed with the United States Eastern Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined flag after a cold day of flying down the hills.

Photo by John Coston

The cook shack crew served up burgers and brats.

Photo by Tom Brown

Eli Larkin competed in the Salisbury Invitational on Feb. 4.

Photo by Randy O'Rourke

Jai Gregory competed in the Salisbury Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 4 and the Eastern Championships on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Photo by Randy O'Rourke

Angelo Goodwin of the Lebanon Outing Club placed third among U20 males in the Salisbury Invitational on Feb. 4.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

SWSA President Ken Barker didn’t seem to mind the cold on Saturday.

Photo by Lans Christensen

Henry Johnstone looked on as the competition took flight at the Big Hill in Salisbury.

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