At four years old, Estella Hassrick joined the world of skiing in the Wisconsin bluffs of Tyrol Basin during Christmas break. Next came years of alpine skiing at Blackhawk Ski Club – an outdoor playground on the edge of Madison. Then, an email inviting Blackhawk members to try ski jumping.
So, at the age of 8, Estella took her first ski jumps. First on the 5 meter, then eventually the 15 meter. A couple of years later, things started to “click” in Lake Placid (New York) at one of their Grasshopper Camps. After that point, there was no looking back and ski jumping became her passion. Winters were filled with weekend road trips throughout the Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois chasing snow and ski jumping competitions.
Today, Estella now jumps for the Steamboat Winter Sports Club and trains away from home on a regular basis. While there are currently no large hills available to jump at Blackhawk, she stops by when she is home and helps coach the next generation of jumpers. To reach her dream to ski jump at the highest levels, she has mastered the art of online high school, living out of a suitcase that does not exceed 50 lbs, and navigating both immigration and train lines.
Quick Stats
- Member of 2023/24 US National Ski Jumping Development Team
- Member of 2024 US Youth Olympic Team
- Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
- School: Middleton High School
- Age: 17 years old (YOB 2006)
- Year Started Jumping: 2014
- Club: Steamboat Winter Sports Club (training) / Blackhawk Ski Club (member club)
Photo Credit: Tom Skulski / Steamboat Pilot & Today