ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – For the last 136 years, thousands of spectators have gathered for the Ishpeming ski clubs annual ski jumping tournament. This year was no different, and if you ask Peter Copenhaver, the vice president of the club, this year’s tournament has gotten off to a great start.
Copenhavor says “It’s beyond our expectations, the crowd is here, the music is going, and the jumpers are getting ready to start the tournament.”
The tournament kicked off with the national anthem as the skiers prepared to take on the hill.
The community stood by waiting to see competitors soar. One young fan said “I like how they fly through the air.”
The weather was exactly what the athletes were looking for. The cold weather makes the air heavier, which is preferred for jumping, and also makes a hard and compact landing area for skiers to land on.
Skiers traveled from all over the country to compete this weekend, some brand new to the hill in Ishpeming. One skier had only ever jumped the hill 1 time before competing in the tournament.
Ski jumping continues tomorrow night at 7pm alongside the Nordic combined cross-country race.
The tournament wraps up with a fireworks display following the last jumps on Saturday.
