Area info opens in a separate window Learning to ski jump around 1950.  The love of this sport starts young ... and it lasts a lifetime! For some of our older members, this video will bring back great memories of how they learned this sport back in the 1940s and 1950s.  In fact, this newsreel was shot in Iron Mountain, and features several of our local jumpers.  One of them, Willie Erickson, was on two Olympic teams and also competed at the FIS World Championships. For many who’ve experienced the thrill of flight, whether at an elite competitive level, or just as a recreational amateur, there’s something that draws them back to the sport ... some as coaches, some as officials, some as hill crew volunteers, and some just as spectators. The dedicated crew at Kiwanis Ski Club has been putting on international competitions for many years, and “nobody does it better!”  Our club has been presenting world-class ski jumping tournaments at Pine Mountain since the first one in 1939.  Many North American distance records have been set here,by some of the best ski jumpers from the USA and many other countries.  The Kiwanis Ski Club has proudly sent local jumpers to represent the USA in the Olympics and in the FIS World Championships, and some of them have been national champions, too. Our club has been the host for Continental Cup tournaments since 1990, and we’vebeen honored to hold World Cup competitions in 1996 and 2000.  It’s the only ski jumpin the United States which is awarded a competition date by FIS each year. It’s a huge commitment of manpower and finances ... all of which have to be expended prior to the first jumper coming down the slide.  FIS has many requirements which must be met by the host club of a tournament in this upper-echelon series.  We do what’s necessary to meet their requirements every season.  Mother Nature’s cooperation is needed to successfully hold an event, but a few times she hasn’t been very helpful. The club sells entry buttons in advance at a discount, and the proceeds from those early sales, along with sponsor investments, helps set the stage for the arrival of outstanding ski jumpers from around the world.  Occasionally, weather has forced postponement or cancellation of our tournaments, and as disappointed as our guests may be, we must ensure that the regulations of the sport’s governing body, FIS, are scrupulously followed to ensure the safety of the athletes.  FIS officials are on site for every event, and they’ve always been complimentary regarding our club and our guests.  We’re pleased to provide “major league” ski jumping for our fans!     Learn more about Pine Mountain and other jumps in the US and around the world on     www.skisprungschanzen.com ... here’s a direct link to info about  Pine Mountain. Kiwanis Ski Club Officers:  2011 - 2012                          Kiwanis Ski Club Olympians                                              President Jim McHugh                      Walt Bietila Vice President Nick Blagec                                  Willie Erickson Correspondence Susie Fox                                  Mark Konopacke Recording Secretary Gary Loeks                                    Rudy Maki Treasurer Paul Bujold                 Dick Rahoi Hill Captain Kurt Massicotte Butch Wedin Made with Xara - KJA & Assoc ©  Kiwanis Ski Club  2010-12