1.
GV Ski slope
0.03

2.
GV Martin starts down slope
0.13

3.
GV Ski slope
0.14

4.
GV Campbell turns over in jump
0.35

5.
GV Onlookers
0.38

6.
SV skier starts off jump and falls
0.53



Initials ES. 1325 ES. 1355


SPORT: SKI-JUMPING
TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Tricky winds and soft snow added to the hazards of a ski-jumping contest on the 290 ft. (90 m.) Pine Mountain lope, at Iron Mountain, Michigan, on Saturday and Sunday (March 3 & 4).

A freak wind caught Terry Campbell, aged 16, of Iron Mountain, in mid-air and flipped him over. He crashed into the snow, fracturing several vertebrae and suffering concussion and contusions.

Veteran skiers and observers said they had not seen an incident like it during the 35 years that the mountain has been used for competition ski-jumping.

Campbell, who was competing before a home crowd for the first time in his ski-jumping career, was said by doctors to be in good condition at a local hospital. They said it was unlikely that he would suffer paralysis from him fall.

The soft snow prevented any contestants achieving the speed needed to beat the 345 ft. (107 m) jump record for Pine Mountain. However, the national ski-jumping champion, Jerry Martin, of Minneapolis, added two more titles to his Central Division Nordic Championship when he won the contest.

SYNOPSIS: Tricky winds and soft snow hampered skiers in a contest at Pine Mountain ski-jump, Iron Mountain, Michigan, over the weekend. However, the United States champion, Jerry Martin gained two more titles by winning the competition.

Just how dangerous conditions were was brought home with a vengeance when a gust of wind caught 16-year-old Terry Campbell's skis and turned him over. Campbell, a local boy who was appearing before a home crowd for the first time, fractured several vertebrae and was concussed.

The 290 FT. mountain caused more upsets during the competition, but none so bad as Campbell's fall. Veteran skiers agreed at the end of the contest that the mountain was the real winner.