Ryan Killion was a standout ski jumper for Plymouth High and the Andover Outing Club. He doesn’t jump anymore, nor does he want to, but he’ll never give up on the community. He can’t fathom leaving the sport entirely.
Killion and Lebanon’s Will Rancourt were recently invited to immerse themselves in the sport at the highest level. The two are part of a select group of ski jumping coaches from across the United States who are taking part this week in coaching development courses during the U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined National Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Killion was a two-time qualifier for junior nationals as a ski jumper, once in Anchorage, Alaska, and again in Park City, Utah. The jumping community is tight-knit in New Hampshire and he grew up in it.
Families and jumpers gather during cold winter nights — whether up at Plymouth, Andover, the Nansen Ski Jump in Milan or elsewhere — withstanding the elements to watch others fly. They pass out hand warmers and hot cocoa, all the while standing knee deep in the snow. It’s a small community, but the passion is palpable at every meet.
Killion’s now studying civil engineering technology at NHTI but has dedicated time outside to coach at Plymouth High and at the AOC. That commitment set up a spot to gain experience at the national level once again.
“Everyone is so incredible, and I wasn’t willing to let that go yet. Now I’ve found a new passion in coaching, and I’m excited for the opportunity to go to Lake Placid and learn from some of the best coaching in the country,” Killion said.
Killion coaches alongside Rancourt, an Army veteran and captain and paramedic with the Lebanon Fire Department at the AOC.
New Hampshire is a hidden hot spot for ski jumping as the only state with sanctioned interscholastic competition in the sport. That’s part of the reason why USA Ski Jumping is bringing the two of them in.
“Opportunities like this are incredibly valuable,” Rancourt said. “Being able to learn directly from coaches working with athletes at the highest level gives us new perspectives on training, technique, equipment and competition preparation. It’s more than just watching athletes compete. It’s about building a stronger network of coaches who can learn from one another and raise the level of ski jumping across the United States.”
USASJ wrote that it is working to grow the pool of experienced coaches nationwide. Killion, Rancourt and other invited coaches from across the nation will shadow regional and national team staff.
While at Lake Placid through next Monday, the two will gain firsthand experience with dry-land training, equipment preparation, coaching techniques and competition-day execution. They’ll have an inside look at the national team camp and the national championships as well.
“Coaches are the lifeblood of ski jumping,” said Steve McNeil, USASJ’s sports development director. “Their detailed understanding of the sport ensures athletes progress safely to the highest levels and is critical to the long-term success of local and national programs.”