winter_sports_02_ai_5

What is in this image? Describe it as if you were explaining it to someone from the 15th century.

This drawing portrays a man in the act of a magical leap, soaring through the air like a bird but without wings. He stands not upon the ground but upon two long, slender boards which are each strapped to his feet. This odd contraption is reminiscent of the long wooden planks used perhaps in building or jousting, but these are thin and curved, intended not for construction or combat, but for a breathtaking sport.The gentleman, attired in a snug garment that enfolds his body securely, descends from a towering slope, constructed of planks and fortified with supports. This slope resembles the steep pitched roofs of great halls or the precipitous incline of a hillside, but unlike any natural formation, this structure has been crafted by man specifically for this daring activity.The scenery is a wondrous wintry landscape, where conifer trees – much like those found in the deep, northern woods – dot the terrain. Above, the sun shines in a mostly clear sky, with a few clouds drifting gently by. The whole scene conveys both a sense of exhilaration and the chill of a winter’s day outdoors.This portrayal, my friend, is called ‘ski jumping’. It is a test of bravery and skill, where men challenge themselves to glide as far and gracefully as possible, mimicking the flight of a bird, albeit fleetingly upon these curious wooden boards. Such a pastime is a spectacle of human ingenuity and daring, celebrated in future centuries far beyond our own.