how very apt

At time of writing, I'm enjoying watching the Winter Olympics.

As a former cyclist I am drawn to the speed events like the bobsleigh, skeleton and speed skating.  And I'd really like to see cyclo-cross instated as an event in a future games.

But my favourite winter sport is and always has been ski-jumping.

I am fascinated at the bravery the jumpers exhibit.  The guts required to leap off a hill at speeds approaching 80mph, the skill involved in maintaining an aerodynamic position and the strength and technique necessary to land safely all leave me in awe at these athletes.

I also like the technical aspect of the sport. The skis used and the suits the jumpers wear give me the techno-fix that I often crave in sport and life in general.

pick your final resting, I mean landing place

I was given a very stark reminder of their bravery when, many years ago at the tender age of 14, I went on a school trip to the Tirol region of Austria, and we went into Innsbruck and stood at the top of the ski-jump there.

It was a terrifying sight indeed.  A steep, almost vertical runway and a huge arena below. But the most frightening, and possible ironic sight, was that of Innsbruck's cemetery just outside the arena!  Our guide told us that when the jumpers leave the "table" at the end of the slope and start their leap, all they can see is the cemetery below and in front of them!

Now, whenever I watch a ski-jumping event from Innsbruck I am immediately taken back to that day we went to Innsbruck and got the smallest of ideas of how brave these jumpers are.