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Wednesday, 25 Apr 07
First 3 photos shown in Lynsey's Ullr Unleashed slideshow
I wasn’t sure if I should compete. I don’t go to contests to not win, but something about this one was different. I knew it was a long shot. I knew it would be a popularity contest. From the beginning, even the advertisements promoting the event were directed at the park aspect. The odds were stacked against me and I knew it. I had a chance to stay in Alaska, a place I did fit in, my happy place (a place that went blue and perfect for five days after I left, ouch), but that would have been much too easy.
I got really f---ing close to winning. I did deserve it, and I do represent what the contest was all about. We all do, every last girl that competed last week. The Ullr spirit was apparent in all the girls. Pip Hunt competed with a broken wrist, laughing all the way. Meredith Eades broke her ankle in practice, not afraid to send it. Vanessa Stark spread her art of the mountains everywhere. Sarah Burke went out of her way to make me feel welcome before the Stompede. She is still competing with the boys, still making the rest of us girls proud. Meg Olenick actually got me to hit a rail, “You got that one, it’s easy,” she said. Her confidence in me probably had a lot to do with me being the only one to stall at the top of the 20-foot rail and then sliding back down (a feat I could probably never do again). Grete Eliassen's energy and enthusiasm brought everyone up. And then there was everyone surrounding the event, Jen Ashton, Michelle Leroux from Whistler, Leah Evans from Red Mountain, and Laura Ogden who came out to pogo with us. Plus two of the best friends anyone could ask for, Vanessa Pierce and Molly Hawkins. Van drove all the way up from Jackson, 17 hours, carrying my art, writing press releases, buying the pogo sticks, making stickers, fighting with the pressures of getting a real job, just to cheer me on and support SheJumps. Molly, who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, made sure the story was captured on film, the right way.
Skiing in this contest was not all about me. I had to come back from Alaska to represent for all of us. For all of the true mountain kids who don’t get half the recognition they deserve, and those who are putting in all they have, all their own money, time, efforts, broken bones, in order to reach their potential. I wanted to show that it pays to get out of your element, to push what you’re comfortable with, to be willing to be made a fool for the possibility of gaining something bigger. I wanted to be able to tell you, if you go for it you can’t lose. Except, you still can lose and that part sucks. But all you can do is all you can do.
I represented with my art and photography as best I could (everyone wants to buy it now!). I partied as hard as I could, danced to 80s music, laughed as much as I could with some amazing new friends, skied the best I could, and came away with a great new quote that my prom date taught me. “Where’s the best place in the world? Anywhere your friends are.” (Peter Olenick, you’re officially cool in my book again. Thanks for being such a gentleman.)
In case you were wondering, we’re still going to find everything we need to make this little website everything it has the potential to be, and let me tell you, no matter how many times we come in second, we’re going to inspire you to reach your potential. We’re going to make it easier for you to go the hard way and make the world better at the same time. Sometimes jumping is just for the sake of jumping, not where you land.
I’ll jump with y’all any day!
'Where's the best place in the world?'
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First 3 photos shown in Lynsey's Ullr Unleashed slideshow
I wasn’t sure if I should compete. I don’t go to contests to not win, but something about this one was different. I knew it was a long shot. I knew it would be a popularity contest. From the beginning, even the advertisements promoting the event were directed at the park aspect. The odds were stacked against me and I knew it. I had a chance to stay in Alaska, a place I did fit in, my happy place (a place that went blue and perfect for five days after I left, ouch), but that would have been much too easy.
I got really f---ing close to winning. I did deserve it, and I do represent what the contest was all about. We all do, every last girl that competed last week. The Ullr spirit was apparent in all the girls. Pip Hunt competed with a broken wrist, laughing all the way. Meredith Eades broke her ankle in practice, not afraid to send it. Vanessa Stark spread her art of the mountains everywhere. Sarah Burke went out of her way to make me feel welcome before the Stompede. She is still competing with the boys, still making the rest of us girls proud. Meg Olenick actually got me to hit a rail, “You got that one, it’s easy,” she said. Her confidence in me probably had a lot to do with me being the only one to stall at the top of the 20-foot rail and then sliding back down (a feat I could probably never do again). Grete Eliassen's energy and enthusiasm brought everyone up. And then there was everyone surrounding the event, Jen Ashton, Michelle Leroux from Whistler, Leah Evans from Red Mountain, and Laura Ogden who came out to pogo with us. Plus two of the best friends anyone could ask for, Vanessa Pierce and Molly Hawkins. Van drove all the way up from Jackson, 17 hours, carrying my art, writing press releases, buying the pogo sticks, making stickers, fighting with the pressures of getting a real job, just to cheer me on and support SheJumps. Molly, who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, made sure the story was captured on film, the right way.
Skiing in this contest was not all about me. I had to come back from Alaska to represent for all of us. For all of the true mountain kids who don’t get half the recognition they deserve, and those who are putting in all they have, all their own money, time, efforts, broken bones, in order to reach their potential. I wanted to show that it pays to get out of your element, to push what you’re comfortable with, to be willing to be made a fool for the possibility of gaining something bigger. I wanted to be able to tell you, if you go for it you can’t lose. Except, you still can lose and that part sucks. But all you can do is all you can do.
I represented with my art and photography as best I could (everyone wants to buy it now!). I partied as hard as I could, danced to 80s music, laughed as much as I could with some amazing new friends, skied the best I could, and came away with a great new quote that my prom date taught me. “Where’s the best place in the world? Anywhere your friends are.” (Peter Olenick, you’re officially cool in my book again. Thanks for being such a gentleman.)
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