Lake Placid to Einsiedeln, CH

No complaints on the trip so far.  Our stopover in Lake Placid was great - I wish we could have been there longer.  

The focus of the weekend was mostly on competition: Flaming Leaves and US Nationals.  We did have time for one fundraiser, which was put on by Bill's mom, Helen Demong. It was the first joint fundraiser for USA Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined and Women's Jumping.  We really are one big community, and people were generous in the support of the combined cause.  

We all stayed at the Olympic Training Center (OTC). It's ideal for training and competition: plenty of healthy food from the "caf," sports med, a gym, sauna, all the works, right in house. 

No, this isn't the gate to the OTC.

Startlist for the race portion of Nationals. Go brothers.

Nationals, on Sunday, was a highlight for me.  I put down a solid jump to start the race in 3rd (tied with my brother) and behind the Fletcher brothers.

In the race, the Fletchers were a bit out of reach, but Bill Demong and Brett Denney were on hot the chase behind me.  I really didn't know if I could hold them off until the end. 

At the end of the day, I still have to keep my sights set on the level of the international field, but cracking podium was  good step and great feeling. Big congrats to Bryan for his first Nationals Championship title, and Taylor, in 2nd, with his at least third podium at Nationals!

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The National Champs podium: Taylor (2), Bryan (1) and me (3). Martin Bayer photo.

Eau Claire Flying Eagles in Lake Placid. From left: Andrew Urlaub, Nate Mattoon, Ben Dowling, Nick Mattoon, Adam and Ben Loomis. Photo: Bill Dowling.

More pics from LP:

Now we're in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, with a total of 15 athletes.  I've never spent any time in Switzerland before, but this town is so Swiss it's almost cliché (in a good way).  The landscape is rolling in bright greens, the bells of grazing cows and sheep constantly ring, and jagged mountains crown the horizon.  Einsiedeln is home to a massive but beautiful monastery. Everything about the town is quiet and simple, but the ski jumps are fully modern.  While were here, we're focusing on quality jumping and competition.  

This weekend is Swiss Nationals!  It'll be an interesting competition.  The NC portion is a running race, and in the special jumping competition we'll be competing against 4-time Olympic Champion Simon Ammann. Check him out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dMhblZqNn0

One of the highlights of the stay so far was running intervals up the Grosser Mythen with our Swiss friends.  For the younger athletes, trying to keep up with the likes of Taylor and Bill can be tough, but it's much easier when you're rewarded with surreal views of the Swiss Alps.  

The Grosser Mythen from the valley floor.

A portion of the view from the top.

All's quiet inside the monastery.

The crew, on day 1 in Europe.