Lake Placid, NY (Thursday, June 29, 2006) - It's a time-honored tradition in Lake Placid dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Summer ski jumping returns to the MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex with a pair of competitions among the featured activities in Lake Placid over the upcoming holiday period.

The first occurs on July 3 with the Chevrolet 90 Meter Summer Ski Jump, conducted by the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), and will be followed on July 4 with the Independence Day meet under the banner of the New York
Ski Educational Foundation.

Both events, beginning at 1 p.m., will present some of the top national and eastern ski jumpers, including U.S. Olympians Clint Jones and Anders Johnson. With women's ski jumping inching closer to Olympic recognition, expect some of the country's top female flyers to enter the field and join the men.

Summer ski jumping actually began on snow many years ago. Blocks of ice were removed from area lakes and stored in the spring and summer until needed for the competitions. This ice was brought to the Intervale jumps and crushed into the hill. Crews laboriously spread this "snow" along the length of the site to allow the event to occur.

However, beginning in the late 1980s, this all changed when artificial surfaces, introduced in Europe for summer training, made their way to Lake Placid. Now the in-run, where the jumpers gain speed, is made of porcelain tile troughs, while the landing hill features a synthetic surface layered like a thatched roof. When the
in-run and landing hill are watered, the result is a winter replica of speeds and jump distances.

Admission to the venue for these ski jump meets is $12 for adults and $8 for juniors and seniors. The price includes entry to the competition as well as use of the chairlift alongside the hill and a ride up the 26-story elevator to the top of the 120 meter ski jump tower for some of the best views of the Adirondacks.