Gym Class #13: Ski Jumping from Norway to Illinois

Ski Jump, Photo by Krenda

 Ski jumping is one of three nordic skiing disciplines which includes cross-country skiing, ski-jumping, and nordic combined (cross-country plus jumping).  In 1808, ski jumping began in Norway and the first public competition was also held in Norway 54 years later (1862).  Not much longer, the sport came to the United States.  With so much publicity about skiing in Colorado, you might have thought it began in the West.  It actually began in the Midwest.  The first US ski-jump located in Red Wing, Minnesota.  Three Norwegians came over and started the ski club.

The places with ski jumping history still play an important role in ski jumping.  Norway holds the most medals (398 total).  For comparison, the US holds 17.  Mikkel Hemmerstvedt, a Norwegian immigrant, earned the first US distance record in Red Wing (1887) and then later Mikkel set a new world record (102 feet).  You can visit The American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minnesota.  This HOF is separate from the National Ski Hall of Fame, only focused on ski jumping.

The sport spread from the Midwest to the West and East.  Wisconsin now lists the most ski jump locations (Camero, Eau Claire, Madison, Wisconsin Rapids, Iola, and Westby).  While Illinois only has one ski jump location listed (Fox River Grove, Illinois), we fortunately live close enough to drive for an event without a hotel stay.  The Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove began early (1905) and remains a volunteer club to prepare athletes for Olympic-level competition.  It's considered one of the top learning centers for Olympic ski jumping in the USA with 5 jumps.  The jumps have availability year round and range from beginner to advanced jumps.  In 2018, three Norge Ski Club Olympic athletes (Mike Glader of Casey, Kevin Bickner formerly of Wauconda, Casey Larson of Barrington) traveled to Red Wing, Minnesota to accept the honor of American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame induction.

The sport has both Junior Tournaments and Masters Competitions (age 30 and older).  The International Ski Federation (FIS) organizes events.  Ski jumping existed in the Winter Olympics since 1924.  The FIS Nordic Ski Championship begin in 1925.  First held in France, the US held the competition in 1950 - the first championship outside Europe.  Switzerland hosted the first FIS Junior World Championship (1977) and the US hosted twice (Lake Placid, NY 1986, Park City 2017).  

If you live near Illinois, you should visit the Norge Ski Club Annual Tournament in the end of January.  For a small entrance fee, you can watch the skiers fly.  We especially were impressed with the kids flying off the 150 foot jump.  The crowd watches for the longest jump after descending from the ramp.  The announcer broadcasts the results and the crowd cheers.  There's some costumes and beer drinking, but a nice family event with many fearless adrenaline driven athlete.