Article updated: 1/27/2013 6:37 PM

Weather doesn’t deter ‘hardy’ ski jumping fans

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Matthew Polz, of Calgary, Alberta, and Casey Larson and Kevin Bickner, both of the Norge Ski Club, perform a rare triple jump Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Despite freezing rain and snow, the crowd remained thick, and even had fires to add to the atmosphere, Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

The bowl at the bottom of the hill stayed packed with spectators Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

A Norge Ski Club member prepares the 70-meter jump as competitors wait at the top of the ski jump Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

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Rolf Ole Sommerstad, of Norway, tumbles to a stop after falling on his landing Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove. The pieces of pine trees are stuck in the snow to give depth and dimension to help the jumpers locate the ground.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

As he comes to a stop at the bottom of the hill, Miles Lussi of Lake Placid, N.Y., exalts in his 78-meter jump Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

Spectators watch from the club house Sunday at the 108th Annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.

John Starks | Staff Photographer

About this Article

The 108th annual International Ski Jumping Tournament at Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove was scheduled to take place rain or shine. On Sunday, snow and sleet were added to that list as hundreds of spectators braved wintry weather for the twice-per-year competition. "I knew the weather was not going to scare off this crowd," said Guy Larson, coordinator for the Nordic combined programs at Norgi Ski Club.