Jump like a Girl, a new documentary by Ruth Gregory and Jessica Mathews about womens ski jumping, will screen in Park City on Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Photo by Scott Sine/Park Record.

Friday, Sept. 30, Women's Ski Jumping USA will kick off the latest leg of its quest for international recognition.

That night at 7:30 p.m. there will be a screening of a film about some extraordinary young athletes at the Egyptian Theatre.

"Jump like a Girl" is a new documentary that tells the story of two Park City ski jumpers Lindsey Van and Jessica Jerome.

"It's a raw documentary of everything these ladies go through every day," said Deedee Corradini, president of Women's Ski Jumping USA. "They work so hard at their sport and they want so badly to get into the Olympic Games."

"Jump like a Girl" follows the struggles of Van, Jerome and others as they work to earn a spot in the Games not just for themselves, but for all women ski jumpers. Nordic ski jumping is the only sport in the Olympic Winter Games that does not have a women's category.

Women's Ski Jumping USA is trying to change that by supporting as many elite female ski jumpers as is possible and working as advocates for the sport. As part of that effort, there will be a pre-screening reception that Friday at Zoom during which guests can meet the athletes and help support their cause. There is a $50 minimum donation to attend.

"All the money goes to sending these girls around the world to competitions," said Corradini.

The season's travel will cost the organization $75,000, she said, so the reception and the screening are just the beginning of the organization's efforts for the year.

The film is the work of director and executive producer Ruth Gregory and editor Jessica Mathews. A long-time athlete and collegiate soccer player, Gregory said she chose women's ski jumping because she felt it was symbolic of the struggle for recognition all women's sports have faced.

"I really wanted to find something to document how I feel about women's athletics," said Gregory.

"You're constantly having to battle things you don't have to battle as a man," she noted.

Gregory began following Van and Jerome in March of 2002, right after the Winter Olympic Games, and she completed the film last month. Overall, the film chronicles two years of Van's and Jerome's lives.

While following the jumpers, Gregory said she was surprised by the excuses officials used to explain why women's ski jumping wasn't recognized by FIS or accepted into the Olympics, and she said she was struck by the girls' determination despite the odds against them.

"I kind of expected that with things not progressing at the speed they'd like, Lindsey would retire," she said, "but she has continued, because she just loves it."

Gregory said she came to appreciate both Van's and Jerome's dedication to the sport, and in the end, she said she hopes the documentary can further their cause.

"I definitely saw it as a tool to help them," Gregory said.

Corradini shares the same hope.

"It's an exciting opportunity to get the word out," she said, "because everywhere we go and everywhere we speak, maybe 5 percent of the people know that this is one of the only events that doesn't allow women to compete in the Olympics."

Van said she thinks the movie tells the story well.

"I think the movie does an awesome job of showing the whole situation," she said. "It's good for the sport."

Jerome agreed.

"I think they did a good job with it," she said.

However, both confessed to being a bit uncomfortable seeing themselves on screen.

"It's very embarrassing," said Van, "because it's me."

"You know how you don't like hearing your own voice on the answering machine?" asked Jerome. "It's just like that."

Despite their cinematic insecurities, both Jerome and Van will take part in a question-and-answer session after the screening, along with top-ranked jumper Anette Sagan, of Norway and Gregory.

Corradini said she believes the film could be a good step toward success in the 2005-2006 season, which started with a trip to Europe this past August and will continue with the Prudential Utah Real Estate International Continental Cup Autumn Festival here in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park on Oct. 1 and 2.

How this season goes will be critical to the success of the women's ski jumping.

"I think it's probably the most important season or us to date, because it's got a lot to do with us getting into the Olympics in 2010," said Jerome.

Corradini said the sport's performance this year which is under the scrutiny of the International Federation of Skiing and the International Olympic Commission will likely play a large part in deciding whether it will be accepted into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

But both Van and Jerome said that while they were aware of the stakes this season, they were doing their best to just stay focused on their own, individual performances.

"I try not to focus on it, because it just puts more pressure on us," said Van.

She said she was happy to attend the reception, because of what it might mean for women's ski jumping.

"I go because it helps out," she said, "but I enjoy going too Part of my goal to is to help out the sport not just for women, but also for men. I hope people come and want to see the movie."

The film, said Jerome, illustrates the athletes' feelings about jumping.

"[It shows] the drive and the passion that we have for it," she said, "and it's something that most people don't even think about."

Gregory agreed.

"It's a story about a passion for one sport against all odds," she said.

To purchase tickets for the event, or for more information, call 649-3736 or to www.womensskijumpingusa.com. For more information about the film, visit www.jumplikeagirl.com.