No snow necessary for this jump

Who needs snow to enjoy a world-class ski jumping competition?

For the past 22 years, the Norge Ski Club has proven the fluffy white stuff is a minor detail in hosting some of the best ski jumpers in the nation -- if not the world.

This weekend, the club will hold its 23rd annual Summer Ski Jump Tournament at 100 Ski Hill Road, about half a mile north of highways 14 and 22 in Fox River Grove.

Instead of an icy slope, competitors will propel themselves down a ceramic track that is constantly sprayed with water, soar through the air and land on plastic sheets, said Gene Brown, president of the Norge Ski Club.

"Skiers travel about the same speed as skiing on an ice track," Brown said. "The average speed is 50 m.p.h. or a little faster on the 70-meter hill."

While Sunday will feature several 2010 Winter Olympic Games hopefuls, spectators will see some daredevil acts during Saturday night's Long Standing Ski Jumping competition, Brown said.

"Coaches cringe because there is an element of danger to it," Brown said. "It should be exciting because everyone has the opportunity to win and go just as far as the guys that are top class."

Unlike the ski jump competition, style is not an important element of the long standing jump contest, Brown said.

"All that matters is how far they jump," said Brown, who said Saturday night's contest will be a first for the Norge Club's summer competition. "It is a matter of pride for these guys to say they jumped the farthest."

Jumpers this year include Nick Fairall of Andover, N.H.; Kyle Lockhart of McCall, Idaho; Chris Lamb of Andover, N.H.; Johnny Lyons of St. Paul, Minn.; and local jumper Mike Glasder of Cary, all members of the U.S. development team.

Sunday's competition is sanctioned by the U.S. Ski Association, with competitors vying for points to improve their national rankings. U.S. national team coach Jochen Danneberg is expected to attend.

Gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday with the junior tournament on the 20- and 40-meter hills at 3 p.m. The long standing ski jump contest starts at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m. with jumpers beginning their trial rounds at noon. Competitors will take two additional jumps, which will be judged as their first and second rounds.

Admission is $10 for two days of competition. Tickets are $15 at the gate. Free admission for children under 12 when accompanied by a parent.