LAKE PLACID -- Local ski jumper Nina Lussi is in the final four for a Sports Illustrated Magazine Sports Kid of the Year.

Voting began with 6,000 kids entering the competition at the end of July. Ten finalists, picked by the magazine's editors, have been reduced to four, including 14-year-old Nina.

The top two vote getters move into a final heat on Monday.

LOCAL SUPPORT

A freshman at Lake Placid High School, Nina is pretty excited about being so close, let alone the prospects of a win.

"It's really amazing I've made it this far; it's exciting to be in the top four. It's a really cool feeling to know so many people support you."

The competition focuses on finding a young athlete age 7 to 15 who exhibits "superior performance on the field, in the classroom and service to his/her community."

Nina, who also plays soccer, is finding hometown support from kids she's never even met.

A win, she said, "would be, like, the coolest thing."

The winner will be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Kid's in December and honored at the magazine's Sportsman of the Year celebration in New York City.

"Being honored as Sports Kid of the Year is a unique and significant honor for a young athlete," Managing Editor Bob Der said in announcing the competition. "We see youth athletes from all walks of life dedicating themselves to sport, school and their community, and the Sports Kid Award gives us a platform to not only showcase these athletes but allow readers to decide who truly deserves the honor."

FLYING HIGH

Nina is training now on the 90-meter Olympic ski jump in Lake Placid.

"She started in an afterschool program," said her father, Art Lussi.

He said Nina's mom, Martina, usually accompanies her to events.