Bernie Wells (1971) — was an outstanding athlete and fierce competitor both in high school and beyond. Bernie was one of the best junior ski jumpers in the east during his high school years. He devoted his time to practicing and competing in Eastern and National competitions, which were held on much larger hills than were offered in high school competitions. Bernie was also a great golfer during high school being named captain of the golf team both his junior and and senior years.
Bernie started jumping at the age of 10. He lived within walking distance from the Living Memorial Park’s 20-meter jump, where he took advantage of the great coaching sponsored by the Brattleboro Outing Club. Bernie worked hard and became one of the best junior jumpers in Brattleboro, quickly moving to the bigger Latches jump located by Exit 1 of I-91. By the time he was 15 he was winning most of the jumping contests in the east. At age 17 he won every meet he entered. In 1970, representing the Brattleboro Outing Club and the Eastern Ski Association, he won the Junior National Championship in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was the first Brattleboro ski jumper to accomplish this honor. This gold medal, along with a beautiful trophy were Bernie’s most cherished awards. Bernie followed up with the win in the North American Junior Championships. There he had his longest jump ever, flying 245 feet on the 80-meter hill in Berlin, NH. He made the United States National team in 1971, 1972 and 1974 and placed 3rd in the 1975 National Championships at Harris Hill. Bernie’s career would come to a climax finishing 6th in the 1976 Olympics tryouts.
Later Bernie would help coach the junior program with Steve Squires, and two of his students would be his children Beth and Jeff. He became the Chief of the Hill at Harris Hill for many years and later in retirement would attend the event with his grandchildren. Bernie passed away in 2021 leaving a big hole in the Brattleboro jumping community.
