Eddie the Eagle Edwards makes a comeback to the ski jumping world before the movie of his life is released this spring – alongside 5 winners of the Alp Leisure Ltd competition to raise money in aid of Ski 4 Cancer, Eddie reaches his target goal of launching off the 90 meter Olympic jump for the first time in over 20 years.

Declared the 'Unofficial British Ski Jumping Championships' by organisers Chris and Lucie Learoyd of Alp Leisure Ltd, the week culminated in an informal competition with all 5 of the first time amateur ski jumpers, Eddie the Eagle Edwards and 9 year old Louis Learoyd, who all managed to launch off the Olympic jump at the site used for the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville.

The 5 winners won a prize to visit Courchevel for a week of training during October with Eddie the Eagle and then to return during the winter and jump as far as they could go that was organised by Chalet Company Alp Leisure Ltd and in aid of the charity, Ski 4 Cancer. Although they all completed both weeks without injury, it was not without apprehension as they stood high up on the huge Nordic ski jumps for the first time.

Alexandra Stubbs, whose 50th birthday fell during the second week of jumping said: "It's been a massive privilege and unforgettable experience but launching myself off the precarious perch at the top of the 60m jump and hurtling down the rails at 50mph into the unknown blew some fuses in my brain. I took a few tumbles in training which dented my limited confidence but I'm super proud to have landed a jump for the ladies at our unofficial British championships."

The second week of intense training by French team coaches and Chris Learoyd (Assistant Coach), with Eddie the Eagle on hand to help, concluded on the final day when the 'unofficial British Ski Jumping Championships' took place where the winners successfully launched themselves into the air alongside Eddie the Eagle and 9 year old Louis Learoyd.

Special guest, British Team number one ski cross skier, Emily Sarsfield, presented the prizes on the night to everyone who had participated in this event and over 1,000 Euro was raised during the event that evening alone.

Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards was presented with his medal and immediately gave it away to a nearby 3 year old toddler and said: “Crikey, this is my first ever podium”, highlighting both Eddie's sense of humour and the spirit of a competition with a goal to raise money for such an important cause.

Watch the video of the 'Unofficial British Ski Jumping Championships' by clicking here

Chris Learoyd comments: “We are really proud to have held this event in Courchevel and introduce ordinary people to the sport of ski jumping along with Eddie who has been an inspiration to everyone involved. The competition winners have been incredible and their bravery throughout the training has been a credit to them, all for a fantastic cause which is the charity Ski 4 Cancer and in memory of my sister in law, Helen Learoyd”.

Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards said: “I've had a lot fun ski jumping in Courchevel and helping to introduce people to the sport and helping to raise awareness for the charity Ski 4 Cancer. It's great to see youngsters like Louis Learoyd taking up the sport and doing so well – hopefully I'll be back again next year to help others get into the sport”.

Further information:

Follow the blogs about this journey on > www.alpleisure.com/blog

Jump with Eddie week took place between the 24th and 29th January 2016 in the resort of Courchevel with Alp Leisure Ltd. The five winners were Alexandra Stubbs, Max Willcocks, Andrew Marshall, Donald Banks and Mark Black.

During the week they will received training from the Club des Sports Courchevel and coaches of the French National Team along with Eddie the Eagle's input.

Interviews with Eddie and the winners can be arranged by request through Ski Press. Clothing sponsor for the event is Dare2b

The competition has been organised and run by Alp Leisure Ltd > www.alpleisure.com

Eddie's fund raising page is available here > www.ski4cancer.org/eddie-the-eagle-jumps-again

There are also individual fund raising pages for all the winners available at > www.ski4cancer.org