Norge Ski Jumping Tournament set to take off Saturday

The 103rd annual Norge Ski Jumping Tournament is planned for Saturday and Sunday at Norge Ski Club, 100 Ski Hill Road, Fox River Grove.

The event kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday for the Junior Tournament.

Gates open at 1 p.m. and medals will be awarded at 4 p.m. In addition, the Master Championships will be held on the 20- and 40-meter hills.

At 6 p.m., an all-class competition commences on the big K70 hill which includes the Junior Olympic Qualifier. Ski jumpers ages 15 and younger will vie for positions on the Central Division Junior Olympic Team.

Those who make the cut will compete against qualifying Junior Olympians from across the country in Ishpeming, Mich., in March.

Gates open at 11 a.m. Sunday with opening ceremonies at noon. Olympic hopefuls will be competing for cash and point standings on the 70-meter hill.

There is one admission price for two days of competition on the big hill. Pre-sale admission buttons are $10 and are available at Dominick's and Ace Hardware and other merchants in the Fox River Grove area. The gate entrance fee is $15 with free admission for children, ages 12 and younger when accompanied by a parent.

Norge Ski Training Center, a nonprofit arm of Norge Ski Club, is an organization dedicated to teaching the sport of ski jumping to aspiring young athletes of all ages.

Want to learn how to ski jump? Come to Norge, where sign-up sheets will be available during the tournament, or call Tricia Fisk at (815) 455-6061.