Back in Time | Aspen

“Few can remember a better display of all around sportsmanship than was witnessed during the ski meet here last week,” stated The Aspen Times on March 5, 1942.

“Those out of town skiers sure rate high in the estimation of Aspen club members and contestants, and the meet went off smoothly in every respect. Speaking of sportsmanship, the crowd yelled with delight when Gordon Wren and Barney McLean decided to jump off their tie rather than flip a coin for first place. Those boys are O.K. The meet last Saturday and Sunday means a lot to Aspen. We always thought Frank Willoughby did a good job surveying the jumping hill — and now we know it. All jumpers agreed it was the best they have seen, and those boys are pretty good judges of what a ski jump should have. It was amazing to local people to see how those little fellows from Steamboat Springs can take the jump as easy as most people take their back steps. No wonder they turn out champions over there. And it is encouraging to note the way the younger Aspen skiers have lately turned to jumping. With memories of the jumping meet fresh in their minds, they doubtless have already resolved to take up ski jumping more in earnest and we can look for some champs in the very near future.”

Aspen Historical Society actively preserves and passionately presents local history in an inspired and provocative manner that will continue to anchor the local community and its evolving character. For more, visit aspenhistory.org.