IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich (WZMQ) – Despite adverse weather conditions leading to the cancellation of yesterday’s final tournament, the FIS Continental Cup ski jumping competition witnessed thrilling performances over the weekend at Pine Mountain. In a remarkable turn of events, two jumpers set a new hill record Saturday, both soaring an astonishing 139 meters.
Seasoned ski club members noted that a tie between two jumpers for a hill record hasn’t been seen in quite some time. It has never been done before on the new hill. On the old hill, a record-tie hasn’t been seen since sometime in the 1950’s.
Markus Eisenbichler, one of the record-holders, clinched the Butch Wedin Weekend Warrior Award for his stellar performance throughout the weekend. Reflecting on his achievements, Eisenbichler remarked, “It was really nice. It’s my second hill record in my career. I have one in Lillehammer, and now here in Iron Mountain. Lillehammer in Norway.”
His counterpart, Jonas Schuster, expressed his elation at executing a flawless telemark landing, continuing a family tradition of excellence in ski jumping.
“It’s incredible, it’s really incredible. It was a really long jump, and with the look during the jump I knew it was going to be very far, and I hope that I can make a telemark and yeah it was just very cool.”
Schuster’s father, Werner Schuster, had previously set records on the old hill, being the first to jump over 400 feet.
Event announcer Scott McGuire noted the significance of Schuster’s achievements, stating, “If that name sounds familiar, his father jumped here.” Schuster himself, only 20 years old, shared his excitement, saying, “It feels amazing, especially because it’s the first time for me to be here, and then first competition, and my first win in the continental cup series. And also with the hill record, I think it’s one of the best days in my ski jumping career, to be honest.”
Schuster is simply focused on his jumping, but he believes he will be going to the next FIS tournament in Slovenia. “This is my first year that I’m not a junior jumper anymore. Last season, I was a junior jumper. So it’s my first year with the old ones, and I’m jumping in the continental cup series – the whole season from the first competition. I was in every competition in the Continental and yeah I don’t know if I get a chance in the upcoming weeks in the World Cup, or if I’m staying in the Continental cup,” he shared, adding “Next weekend is the next continental cup in Planica, Slovenia. I don’t know if I’m going to be there or not, we will see. I think I will be there.”
The competition, which saw seasoned veterans like Eisenbichler returning after nearly a decade, impressed the athletes with its challenging, yet exhilarating terrain. Eisenbichler praised the Iron Mountain venue, likening it to ski-flying and commending the supportive local community.
“I jumped before here. It was 2012, so it was on the old hill. It was a really nice hill, but the new one is really good. I like it, it’s a bit like ski flying here in Iron Mountain, and the people here are so awesome. They’re just celebrating everything, and it makes it fun for a ski jumper to jump here in Iron Mountain,” he shared.
With the scores from the two Saturday tournaments tallied, jumpers now look ahead to the next leg of their Continental Cup series in Planica, Slovenia, eager to carry forward the momentum from their remarkable performances in Iron Mountain.
The Kiwanis Ski Club would like to thank all of its generous sponsors and volunteers, like Ally Walters, who sang the National Anthem and Levi Verrette, who carried the flag during the opening ceremony.
Without the help of the countless community volunteers and the sponsors, the FIS Continental Cup ski jumping competition would not be possible. The Marshfield Clinic Health System, Dickinson played a major role in contributing to the success of the tournament, along with other major sponsors like the Great Lakes Sports Commission, Boss Snowplow, Liuna! 1329 Labor Union, and Bacco Construction Company.
For those interested in becoming a sponsor of the annual FIS Continental Cup Ski Jumping Tournament, visit:
