A Top Women’s Ski Jumper Watches From the Sideline

By Jabberhead • February 19, 2010

Coach Jochen Danneberg was walking toward the bottom of the jumping hill at the Whistler Olympic Park on Friday when he spotted a familiar face across the fence. Alissa Johnson, an American ski jumper who holds 10th place in the women’s world rankings, was standing on the side reserved for spectators.

“Where are your skis?” Danneberg, the American coach, asked has he leaned over to give Johnson a kiss on the cheek.

She arched an eyebrow and kissed him back. “Yeah, right?” she said.

Johnson would have loved to have strapped on a pair of skis and taken her shot at the big hill Friday, but women ski jumpers are not competing at the Vancouver Olympics this year. Despite years of protests and a court case that went all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court, the International Olympic Committee has barred women from competing in ski jumping, arguing that the sport is too early in its development to field enough qualified competitors.

Instead, Johnson, who is 22, was there as a sister and supporter, cheering on her younger brother, Anders Johnson, a member of the men’s team, as he competed in the qualification round on the large hill. Anders, who is 20, ultimately failed to qualify for the medal round Saturday after jumping 117 meters to finish in 42nd place, two positions below the cut. He is still recovering from surgery in August to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.