Article taken by Mining Journal by Corey Kelly

Super skiers: Competition draws contestants from around the nation, world

The event was hosted by the Ishpeming Ski Club at Suicide Hill, which is located off County Road in Negaunee.“We really had pretty much the ultimate evening that you could possibly have for ski jumping,” said Gary Rasmussen, chief of competition and head ski jumping coach for the Ishpeming Ski Club. “The hill was in perfect condition, hard and fast, smooth as can be. The winds were nominal and then perfect for jumping. We had a great crowd and a terrific competition.”

Spectators crowd around two large bonfires for warmth at the 133rd annual ski jumping tournament at Suicide Hill Ski Bowl Tuesday night. The event featured skiers from the United States, Finland, Norway and Slovenia. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

In the men’s U.S. Cup U20 Class, which is for those under 20 years old, Tate Frantz of New York Ski Educational Foundation placed first with a top distance of 92 meters; Caleb Zuckerman took second with a top distance of 99 meters and Beckett Ledger took third with a top distance of 86 meters.

Anna Hoffman of Blackhawk Ski Club took first in the Women’s U.S. Cup Class, with a top distance of 86.5 meters. Jillian Highfill claimed second with a distance of 75.5 meters and Cara Larson was third with a distance of 73 meters.