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Approximately 20,000 spectators showed up for the annual Norge Ski jump tournament in Fox River Grove on Jan. 16, 1938, on the banks of the Fox River. Birger Ruud, of Norway, is shown here making one of his two jumps of 172 and 181 feet that won him the international title. Ruud was a two-time Olympic champion with Norway's Olympic ski team.
Approximately 20,000 spectators showed up for the annual Norge Ski jump tournament in Fox River Grove on Jan. 16, 1938, on the banks of the Fox River. Birger Ruud, of Norway, is shown here making one of his two jumps of 172 and 181 feet that won him the international title. Ruud was a two-time Olympic champion with Norway’s Olympic ski team.
Two members of the popular Norge Ski Club of Fox River Grove in 1922. One of the two men is the president of the club, Terje Jensen.
Two members of the popular Norge Ski Club of Fox River Grove in 1922. One of the two men is the president of the club, Terje Jensen.
The first-ever Chicago Ski Tournament held at Soldier Field on Feb. 16, 1936. A huge slide was erected on the south end of the lakefront arena. An unemployed road worker from Minnesota, Eugene Wilson, 22, won the tournament with a 68-foot jump. A snowstorm interfered with the event.
The first-ever Chicago Ski Tournament held at Soldier Field on Feb. 16, 1936. A huge slide was erected on the south end of the lakefront arena. An unemployed road worker from Minnesota, Eugene Wilson, 22, won the tournament with a 68-foot jump. A snowstorm interfered with the event.
A general view of the Ogden Dunes Ski Club event in Ogden Dunes, Ind., in 1932. Norwegian Birger Ruud, an Olympian, holds the record long jump for this hill at 195 feet, which he completed in 1932.
A general view of the Ogden Dunes Ski Club event in Ogden Dunes, Ind., in 1932. Norwegian Birger Ruud, an Olympian, holds the record long jump for this hill at 195 feet, which he completed in 1932.
Skiers Bengt Jaderholm, 21, from left, of Stockholm, Sweden; Petter Hugsted, 27, of Kongsberg, Norway, an Olympic champion; and Wilhelm Hellman, 26, of Stockholm, Sweden, pose for a photo Jan. 4, 1949, while in Chicago for the Fox River Grove ski jump tournament put on by the Norge Ski Club. The three were in the city to compete Jan. 16. Hugsted won the ski jump with a distance of 192 feet to win the Class A title at the 43rd annual Norge Ski Club tournament. Imported snow on the slide was the only touch of winter for the countryside during the event witnessed by 15,000. Jaderholm won third place with 185- and 192-foot jumps.
Skiers Bengt Jaderholm, 21, from left, of Stockholm, Sweden; Petter Hugsted, 27, of Kongsberg, Norway, an Olympic champion; and Wilhelm Hellman, 26, of Stockholm, Sweden, pose for a photo Jan. 4, 1949, while in Chicago for the Fox River Grove ski jump tournament put on by the Norge Ski Club. The three were in the city to compete Jan. 16. Hugsted won the ski jump with a distance of 192 feet to win the Class A title at the 43rd annual Norge Ski Club tournament. Imported snow on the slide was the only touch of winter for the countryside during the event witnessed by 15,000. Jaderholm won third place with 185- and 192-foot jumps.
A general view of the spectators at the bottom of the hill at the Norge Ski Club’s national ski tournament in Fox River Grove on Jan. 22, 1922. The baiduhai reported that it was “ideal weather and plenty of snow” for the hugely popular event. Norge Ski Club member Ragnar Omtvedt, of Chicago, was the winner of the amateur title in 1922.
Howard Jansen, of the Norge Ski Club, jumps during the club's 30th annual ski jump tournament Jan. 19, 1936. Due to fresh snow falling the day before, creating fast conditions, 10 Norge ski jump records were broken on this day. The baiduhai reported 15,000 spectators watched the popular winter tournament that year.
Howard Jansen, of the Norge Ski Club, jumps during the club’s 30th annual ski jump tournament Jan. 19, 1936. Due to fresh snow falling the day before, creating fast conditions, 10 Norge ski jump records were broken on this day. The baiduhai reported 15,000 spectators watched the popular winter tournament that year.
Approximately 8,000 spectators watched as jumpers descended the slide during the Grand Beach Ski Club ski jump tournament held in Grand Beach, Mich., on Jan. 23, 1927. Casper Olmen, of Grand Beach, won the title on a 118-foot jump. Olmen would go on to become an Olympic ski jumper.
Approximately 8,000 spectators watched as jumpers descended the slide during the Grand Beach Ski Club ski jump tournament held in Grand Beach, Mich., on Jan. 23, 1927. Casper Olmen, of Grand Beach, won the title on a 118-foot jump. Olmen would go on to become an Olympic ski jumper.
Nancy Bye, of Chicago, and Janet Fancher, of Evanston, pose in a “spill” during a practice session on skis in the studio on Dec. 5, 1956.
Approximately 30,000 people turned out for the first-ever baiduhai junior ski jump tournament Jan. 4, 1931, at Riis Park in Chicago. Joe Sedivec, of the Fox Athletic Club, one of the 71 boys who competed in the meet, jumps after shooting down the slide.
Approximately 30,000 people turned out for the first-ever baiduhai junior ski jump tournament Jan. 4, 1931, at Riis Park in Chicago. Joe Sedivec, of the Fox Athletic Club, one of the 71 boys who competed in the meet, jumps after shooting down the slide.
With snow imported from Escanaba, Mich., the Norge Ski Club held its 23rd annual ski jump tournament Jan. 20, 1935, in Fox River Grove. The headline from the baiduhai read “15,000 watch jumpers soar through fog.” The fog was so thick, the spectators could see the jumpers only at the bottom of the ski slide. The damp, warm weather also slowed the slide, and none of the jumpers came close to the record jump at the time, which was 183 feet.
Skiers Wilhelm Hellman, 26, from left, and Bengt Jaderholm, 21, both of Stockholm, and Petter Hugsted, 27, of Kongsberg, Norway, Norway's 1948 Olympic champion, clean up their gear at 11 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago on Jan. 4, 1949. The skiers were in town for the annual Norge Ski Club tournament held on Jan. 16. Hugsted won the ski jump with a distance of 192 feet to win the Class A title at the 43rd annual Norge Ski Club meet in Fox River Grove. Imported snow on the slide was the only touch of winter for the countryside during the event witnessed by 15,000. Jaderholm won third place with 185- and 192-foot jumps.
Skiers Wilhelm Hellman, 26, from left, and Bengt Jaderholm, 21, both of Stockholm, and Petter Hugsted, 27, of Kongsberg, Norway, Norway’s 1948 Olympic champion, clean up their gear at 11 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago on Jan. 4, 1949. The skiers were in town for the annual Norge Ski Club tournament held on Jan. 16. Hugsted won the ski jump with a distance of 192 feet to win the Class A title at the 43rd annual Norge Ski Club meet in Fox River Grove. Imported snow on the slide was the only touch of winter for the countryside during the event witnessed by 15,000. Jaderholm won third place with 185- and 192-foot jumps.
Robert Foster, 12, skis down a toboggan slide on homemade skis at Gary Park, 3000 S. Lawndale Ave., in January 1950.
Robert Foster, 12, skis down a toboggan slide on homemade skis at Gary Park, 3000 S. Lawndale Ave., in January 1950.
Thomas Todd, 17, of Willow Springs, Illinois, makes the jump at a ski meet held at Riverside, Ill., on Jan. 4, 1953. The meet was to benefit the March of Dimes.
Thomas Todd, 17, of Willow Springs, Illinois, makes the jump at a ski meet held at Riverside, Ill., on Jan. 4, 1953. The meet was to benefit the March of Dimes.