Hall of Famer
Steve Collins
Affiliated Discipline(s):
Jumping
Hometown:
Fort William, ON / Thunder Bay, ON
Active Career Period:
1979-1988
Induction CSHF:
1995
Induction Category:
Jumping
Collins, a ski jumper from Fort William First Nation, on the outskirts of Thunder Bay, Ont., represented Canada at winter Olympics, and on the World Cup circuit for nearly a decade.
In a Today Magazine article, “Flying High”, of March 7, 1981, it was said of Steve Collins “… after little more than a year of international competition…is recognized as one of the best ski jumpers alive, perhaps the most extraordinary prodigy the sport has known. Although he’s still officially a junior his success in World Cup competition has rewritten the history of the sport. His trail is littered with broken records. In December 1979, when he showed up for his first 90-metre World Cup meet in Oberstdorf, West Germany, competitors questioned whether he should be allowed on the big hill; he was so small and so young…”
Steve Collins was member of Canada’s National Ski Jumping team for 8-years and competed on two Olympic Winter Games Teams in 1980 at Lake Placid, New York U.S.A. and at Sarajevo, Jugoslavia in 1984. At the Lake Placid Games, he finished in a very creditable 9th place when he was only 14-years of age. He also won the Lord Alexander Trophy during his 8-year career.
Competitive highlights
1980
1st place, Jumping event, World Cup competition, Lahti, Finland.
1st place, World Ski Flying title, Harrochov,Czechoslovakia.
12th place in World Cup Jumping standings (out of 101 competitors. 1st place, Jumping event, International Tournee, Thunder Bay, Ontario, (where he amassed the largest number of points ever recorded in 90-metre competition).
1st place, Jumping event, World Junior Championships
1st place, Jumping event, Canadian National Senior Jumping Championships.
Steve Collins held a world record for the longest jump on a 90-metre hill, 128.5 metres (421ft 6″) at Thunder Bay, Ontario, on 15 December 1980.
Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only.
Steve Collins, 1979 Canadian Juvenile Champion. Photo Ken Waterman.
Steve Collins on a 90 metre ski jump. CSHFM Collection.
Steve Collins named Athlete of the Month in March 1980 by the Sports Federation at a reception held at the Château Laurier, Ottawa, ON. Ski Canada.
Steve Collins 1994 Inductee Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Induction video profiling the career of Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame 1994 Inductee Steve Collins
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