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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSki Jumping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula!
Is alive and well.... It was the first time I have had a chance to attend the competition at Suicide Hill in Ishpeming Michigan in over 30 years. I was not disappointed.
You can view the pictures and videos that I took at this link:
http://afotographer.smugmug.com/Events/Suicide-Hill-Ski-Jumping-2012/21392492_WfTPWP#!i=1704352436&k=W8MZ7rf&lb=1&s=A
bluedigger
(17,087 posts)My best friend was a very good nordic skier and also jumped. He dislocated both knees, one twice, jumping.
I told the coach "No way!"
They used to throw pine needles on the landing zone so the jumpers could have better depth perception. The rest of teams would line up along the jump and spot the landings.
Yooperman
(592 posts)On Suicide Hill they use boughs ... the make lines across the landing area to help spotters to identify the distance but also for the jumpers to see the landing better.
The first North American record was 37 feet in 1887 on a hill in Minnesota... by 1904 it was 82 feet on a hill here in Ishpeming.
In 1917 the first 200 foot jump took place in Steamboat Springs by Henry Hall an Ishpeming Ski Club member.
Joe Perrault set new standards in 1949 of 293 and 297 in Iron Mountain Michigan...
Suicide Hill's record is now 335 feet.... but the North American record is now 518 feet held by Werner Schuster at Copper Peak in Ironwood Michigan last year.
I think I could have handled the 37 foot mark....
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)Looks like fun.
trof
(54,256 posts)The snowbirds are down here (AL gulf coast) en masse.
I welcome them and the boost to our economy.
Yooperman
(592 posts)for the winters.... although it has been a very mild winter with temps above freezing for much of the winter so far. In fact the dog sled competition that was scheduled to start in Marquette Michigan this month had to be moved for the first time in history because of lack of snow. The snowmobile trails are not in very good shape and it is hurting the tourist industry up here for sure.
trof
(54,256 posts)Never seen those here before.
I think all the publicity about the BP disaster might have actually helped winter tourism in the long run.
Who knew?
It's been in the mid 70s all last week.
In the mid 60s today.