Hundreds of Olympians, some Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists have stood upon the winner’s podium over the past 105 years of the clubs rich history. World champions from Norway, Sweden, Japan, Finland, Poland, Ukraine, Republic of Georgia and Russia have all participated.
Six time champion Edward Suboch, who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary travelled to Norge shortly after the Olympic Games when he heard of the reputation and friendly atmosphere of the area. According to Suboch, a native of Krasnoyarsk, Russia in Siberia, the facilities at Norge are as perfect for a training center as any he has ever seen before. The biggest difference he noticed was that at Norge the biggest job preparing for the competition was to spend many hours making and hauling snow. In Siberia it was very common to have to remove up to eight feet of snow from the complex. When asked several years ago about the coldest weather he could remember, Suboch, in his broken English answered, “This is easy answer. It was Soldier Field”. Then just moments following the interview held out at Norge during jumping practice, Suboch climbed the giant steel tower, stripped down to a speedo swimsuit and flew through the air leaping nearly 60 meters through the air for all of the media world to capture. This year Suboch will coach the Russian team.
It has been a long time since the club has hosted a Norwegian team but years ago the Norwegians dominated the sport around the world and are certainly intent on putting on a superb show for the club whose name translated means “Norway”. In fact, in the beginning you had to be a Norwegian to join the Norge ski club. All the minutes were taken in Norwegian.
The Finnish teams have been producing some of the most successful champions ever. Many of these young competitors have competed in Planica, Finland, home of the largest ski flying jump in the world where jumps of over 700 feet have taken place.
Of course the Polish team, if not the whole Polish community of Chicago will be the first to tell you that the world champion in very recent years is Polish born Adam Malysz who has been wowing crowds all over the world as he time after time continues to jump to the bottom of the hill! Last year at the Norge meet it was Poland that eventually walked away with top honors in a five tournament Super Tour competition. Many Polish natives, especially those with roots coming from around Zakopane or anywhere near the Tatra Mountains were on hand to cheer on their countrymen. This year Poland will be represented by three of Polands best ski jumpers and a coach.
The Americans will be headed by Norge’s own Michael Glasder who has been competing throughout Europe and has undoubtedly become the best American ski jumper Norge has ever produced. Glasder has a very good chance of making the Olympic Team, something not done by a Norge member in over 50 years. Also, Conner Jacobsen of Crystal Lake and A.J.brown of Fox River Grove will be leading the Junior competitors along with several other Norge jumpers.
Norge will be the third leg of this five tournament “Super Tour” competition, starting in Eau Claire, Wisc. Next skiers go to Ishpeming, Mich. Skiers begin arriving in Fox River Grove on Thursday evening, Jan. 28th and will be making various appearances in the area. Friday, Jan. 29th will be training day. The press day will begin at 10am. Friday. On Saturday, Jan. 30 Norge will host a Junior Olympic qualifier followed by a junior jumping competition starting at noon. Sunday, Jan. 31 will be the “Super Tour Senior meet beginning at noon. Admission will be $10 if buttons are purchased in advance at local area merchants or $15 at the gate. Buttons are good for both days.
Norge is located at 100 Ski Hill Road in Fox River Grove, just 3 blocks north of Rts. 22 and 14. Parking is free and food and drink concessions are available.
For further information call 847/639-9718. For groups requesting 20 or more buttons please call 847/630-4328 for special pricing!
http://www.norgeskiclub.com/