National Nordic Foundation Raises $17,500 for Nordic Combined Athletes

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — The National Nordic Foundation is proud to announce the completion two successful fundraising events by the Nordic Combined community in Steamboat Springs, CO. Thanks to a little creative formatting, Steamboat’s well-loved Calcutta Ski Jump competition became a successful money raiser for skiing and competition. Kerry Lynch, Nordic Combined director for the NNF, explained the fundraising format:

“People could buy tickets or ‘bet’ on which athlete would win. We split the jumpers into three categories: the Olympians & Medalists, the Next Generation or the Dark Horse group. We gave the medalists a lower position to start from so less speed for the jump and then the youngest guys got the most speed. Otherwise every body would’ve just bet on Bill (Demong) or Todd (Lodwick)!”

True to the spirit of NNF growth, Decker Dean, an up-and-coming jumper took the benefit of the handicapped system and won the overall event. Dean, fresh off a few years of growth and his first junior nationals experience was the bet of seven would-be NNF supporters. Those seven winners then drew for some amazing prizes including a 2-night hut trip in Aspen, a one week stay in a cabin on a lake in Hayward, WI, a 5-night stay in Capitol Reef in Utah and more. When the dust settled, the Calcutta Jump and the recent NNF Wine Soiree and auction raised a collective $17,500, a strong effort for the grassroots Nordic Combined and NNF communities.

“Really, this was the effort of a lot of families and volunteers and people who love the sport,” Lynch explained.

Look for more from the Nordic Combined community later this month with a VIP Tour of European training.