Ski Jumping at Suicide Bowl
The
end of an era of Upper Peninsula sports history occurred on January 20,
2002 when the last skier zoomed down the ninety-meter jump at
Ishpeming's Suicide Hill. To remember the history of the hill, which is
being repossessed by Cleveland Cliffs, Inc., Michigan History presents
this unique photo album of past and present ski jumping competitions.
Click on each photo to view a larger image.
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1905
One of the most-attended early ski competitions at the Suicide Bowl
occurred in 1905. During the day's events a photographer captured many
local U.P. skiers on small postcard-formatted photographs. Due to long
exposure time, movement was almost impossible to capture, making the
skiers' appearance blurry. However, for the time period, these
photographs are of exceptionally rare quality. The originals are
displayed in the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame and Museum in Ishpeming. Photos
copyright National Ski Hall of Fame. |
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| Spectators
and other competitors look on as Ironwood's J. A. Beerling completes his
jump. |
Len
Olson of Ishpeming looks as if he is about to crash land. |
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| Sporting
a double-breasted overcoat Conrad Thompson of Ishpeming prepares for a
landing. |
With
fans cheering and judges ready to make their mark, Ishpeming's George
Westmore comes off the jump. |
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2002
The 115th Continental Cup and Paul Bietila Memorial Tournament was held
at Suicide Hill on January 19 and 20, 2002. It was the last ski
competition hosted at the hill and to mark the event Michigan History
commissioned photographer Duane J. Pape of Marquette to capture the
competition on film. The following photographs highlight Suicide Hill's
final days. Photos copyright Duane J. Pape. |
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