I remembered the other day the man named Eddie Eagle Edwards.I am of course referring to Ski-Jumping.The last time I followed the sport I was following the likes of Janne Ahonen who plans to make a come back in 2009-2010.Good luck to him,but this post is aimed at what I and many other Finnish people consider to be one of the greatest Ski jumpers in the sport.
Matti Nykänen
Matti Nykänen winner of four Olympic Gold Medals
Putting aside Matti Nykönen`s behavior away from the sport he excelled in so well he is undoubtedly one of the greatest Ski-jumper personalities in the sport,past and present.He does however seem to do things that attract the attention of the news media,police and public.To say he has had a colorful career would be an understatement.He stabbed a man in a finger pulling contest,he has worked on a sex phone line,got drunk and after all that he has come and found God!
If you ever get the chance to visit one of these Ski Jumping events,try to make the effort to have a look from the top-down to the basin or spectators area.It is a fearful height.The picture attached shows a view when there is no snow.I visited the hill inJyväskylä,central Finland some years ago.Just looking down gives you he aeries.I certainly would not attempt it at a later age of life.In fact the reason the jumpers have the tremendous confidence to risk these daring jumps is because they start at such a young age on smaller Ski Jumps and gradually increase the jump heights.
Matti Nykänen`s triumph at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games resulted in him breaking a record and winning Gold Medals in both the normal and giant Ski Jumps.The end to his career followed swiftly 3 years after the Calgary Games when he left the sport.
In hindsight, thoughts on Matti Nykänen
After retiring from Ski Jumping,followed a steep,no pun(downhill) dive for our Matti Nykanen.These public outrages seemed to be an all to common destructive force resulting in no competitive forces to compete against.Not to mention the no doubt high levels of adrenalin left from competing in such a daring sport.
I would personally and positively enjoy the chance to meet and talk with the man.Matti Nykänen will always be a remembered Ski Jumper long after the person himself has left.Finnish People that were around when he was jumping will remember him for his greatness,whilst younger generations may only see Matti Nykänenas a newspaper cartoonish character.Such is Finnish Beliefs
Ski Jump from top
Matti Nykänen Calgary Winter Games Jump in 1988
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