Rare Bird

U.S. ski fans seldom see a flying lady "snowbird." Last week, at New York's Bear Mountain, 4,000 blue-nosed fans not only saw one but were dazzled by her pluck. The rare bird: Dorothy Graves, 18-year-old factory worker from Greenfield, Mass.

Dorothy learned to ski when she was eleven. At twelve, she outjumped most of the boys in the Berkshires. At 16, she was hired by a Boston sport-show promoter to give exhibitions on borax.

That made Miss Graves look like a pro, and this winter, in order to take part in big-time tournaments, she had to ask for reinstatement with the National Ski Association. She has to compete with male snowbirds because there are no ski-jumping tournaments for women. Last week, getting a day off from the factory because it was Lincoln's Birthday, Dorothy entered New York's Palisades Tournament. Bucking a biting northwester and 17 male experts, including the Eastern and New York State Champions, she finished in a tie for first place in the Class B event. Her jumps measured 122 ft., 118 ft. Highflying Torger Tokle, who has won 36 of the 41 tournaments he entered in the past three years, took first in Class A with jumps of 158 ft., 155 ft. Twice in exhibitions Dorothy has jumped 168 ft.

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