Documentary feature film "Ready to Fly" about women ski jumpers opens February 10 in Salt Lake

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Salt Lake City, Utah, via release — Ski jumping hits the big screen Friday, Feb. 10 with the World Premiere of the new documentary feature film "Ready To Fly," which tells the powerful true story of women ski jumpers and their allies who fight to be included in the Olympic Winter Games.

The film kicks off the Cultural Olympiad celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Salt Lake Games and will enjoy a two-week run in the six Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres in Utah. Additional special screenings are slated for Logan, Ogden, and Park City (see details below).

"Ready To Fly" follows 2009 World Champion Lindsey Van and her Women's Ski Jumping USA teammates Jessica Jerome, Alissa Johnson, Sarah Hendrickson, Abby Hughes and others as the film tells a tale of an unlikely group of heroes that triumphs over massive obstacles to achieve a dream and change the world for other women athletes.

"I hope this film inspires anyone who comes up against the toughest of challenges to keep fighting for what they believe in and to never, never give up," said writer/director Bill Kerig, who also wrote and directed the hit Showtime documentary "The Edge of Never," a father/son story set in the world of big-mountain skiing.

Kerig and his team started filming Van and the ski jumpers nearly two years ago, traveling across the globe capturing the extreme highs and lows of this dramatic story. They also collected hundreds of hours of historical footage to cover the 17 years chronicled in the film.

Diana Nyad, marathon swimmer and NPR contributor, who has come up against her own seemingly insurmountable odds, narrates "Ready To Fly." The Salt Lake Tribune calls the film "…a tribute to the human spirit."

"We have a wonderful opportunity through this inspiring film to share our story with the world and continue to push for equality in ski jumping at the Olympic level and equality for women in sport," said WSJ-USA President Deedee Corradini, also featured in the film. Part of the proceeds raised from the film will be donated to WSJ-USA.

The filmmakers are negotiating a national television broadcast and are planning a select-city national theatrical and film festival tour in the late summer and fall. "Ready To Fly" DVDs are available for pre-order at www.ReadyToFlyFilm.com.

Zions Bank is the Regional Presenting Sponsor of "Ready To Fly" and the Women’s Sports Foundation is a Supporting Partner. Other supporters include WomenTalkSports.com, eXperticity, PrettyTough.com, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski Resort, and the Utah Film Center. Shades of Pale, a brewery in Park City, has created a new Amber Ale called “Ready To Fly” in support of the film.

UTAH SCREENINGS

(for full details go to www.ReadyToFlyFilm.com.)

Friday Feb. 10, 2012

Event: UTAH PREMIERE

Venue: Gateway Theaters, invite only

February 10-24, 2012

Event: UTAH LIMITED THEATRICAL

Venues: LHM Megaplex Theatres (five times a day)

Thursday Feb. 16, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

Event: UTAH FILM CENTER PRESENTS READY TO FLY – OGDEN, UTAH

Venue: Pleasant Valley Library

Sunday, Feb. 19 & Monday, Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m.

Event: PARK CITY, UTAH SCREENING

Ready To Fly screening each night followed by a Q&A session with Writer/Director/Producer Bill Kerig and members of the U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping Team. Includes special giveaways.

Venue: Egyptian Theater

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

Event: UTAH FILM CENTER PRESENTS READY TO FLY – LOGAN, UTAH

Venue: Taggart Auditorium at Utah State University

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