Sammy Carlson Drops in for World’s First Backwards Ski Flying Jump
JACKSON, Wyo. (Dec 15, 2015) Today, action sports media company, Teton Gravity Research (TGR), is sharing the segment from a new film, “The Sammy C Project”, in which professional skier and 8-time XGames medalist, Sammy Carlson, places himself in the record books as the first skier to hit a “ski-flying” long jump with freestyle intent. Carlson not only spun himself from the lip of a jump designed to send skiers upwards of 500 feet, but began several of many descents into the jump backwards.
Built in 1970, the ski jump, known as Copper Peak, is the largest ski jump in the Western Hemisphere. Located on Michigan’s upper peninsula along the shores of Lake Superior, the 24 story, 300-ton steel structure is named for the mineral deposits unearthed during its construction (a 140-pound copper nugget was discovered near the present-day judge’s stand). The ramp itself claims 364-feet of vertical drop and a 35-degree in-run, providing for jumps with distance records stretching over 500 feet. Due to financial woes and outdated infrastructure, Copper Peak had not been jumped since 1994.
“When we showed up it was a ghost ramp. It not been hit in twenty years,” declares Carlson. “The people helping me from the community where just as committed as I was to hitting the ramp. It was true team effort.”
This segment is an excerpt from the full-length film released in November by TGR, The Sammy C Project, and is available today on iTunes. The film shares nearly two years of unthinkable freestyle skiing progression, with features, locations and cinematography to rival the groundbreaking segment released today.
“The jump is truly enormous,” says TGR co-founder Steve Jones. “Hitting a gap this big in general takes significant confidence and skill, not to mention spinning from its lip or dropping in switch. Sammy is unbeatable when it comes to skiing like this.”
About The Sammy C Project
Teton Gravity Research and 7-time X Games medalist and three-time Real Ski Champion, Sammy Carlson, introduce The Sammy C Project. The Sammy C Project hopes to inspire beyond the realm of snow sports , encouraging viewers to pursue their dreams with unwavering tenacity. For more information about the film, visit thesammycproject.com. The Sammy C Project is supported by: Sony, GSS, Armada, Nike and Oakley and was filmed on location in Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Alaska, British Columbia, Mount Hood, and Utah’s Olympic Park. Media assets available here.
About Teton Gravity Research
Since 1996, TGR has worked with the top athletes in their respective disciplines to capture, celebrate, and bring to life the passion and enthusiasm associated with action sports. Known for its media and lifestyle products, TGR has significant production experience on all seven continents, including commercial work, branded entertainment, original television programming, and 39 award-winning feature films. TGR is a proud member of 1% For The Planet, BICEP, Surfrider Foundation, IMBA and Protect Our Winters. For more information on TGR, visit TetonGravity.com.
Media Contact
Eric Henderson
Backbone Media
eric.henderson@backbonemedia.net
(970) 963 4873 ext.152
About The Author
stash member Teton Gravity Research
It all began with a dream and a little cash scraped together from fishing in Alaska... Since 1995, we've been an action sports media company committed to fueling progression through our ground-breaking films (37 and counting) and online content.