King of the Hill crowned at Norge
FOX RIVER GROVE – Several hundred people gathered at the bottom of the 150-foot Norge Ski Jump to witness high-flying, daredevil jumping in an unsanctioned King of the Hill Competition.
Thirteen jumpers from throughout the nation competed in the annual Norge Ski Club event vying for $400 in cash prizes.
Spectators stared up at a young group of jumpers soaring overhead. In the summer event, jumpers ski down ceramic tiles on Norge’s 150-foot jump and land on plastic mats sprayed down with water.
Ken and Michelle Schmidt of McHenry brought their sons to watch the action Saturday. Brothers Ben Schmidt, 6, and Joe Schmidt, 9, cheered 10-year-old ski jumper Casey Larson, who they wanted to win.
Larson, of the Norge Ski Club, didn’t finish in the top three but landed some crowd-pleasing jumps.
For Andrew Dring, 12, of Elgin the highlight of the event was “seeing the jumpers fly though the air.”
His brother Alex Dring, 9, was keeping his eye on the distance markers along the side of slope and watching to see who would go the farthest.
And in the King of the Hill competition, distance is all that matters.
Norge Ski Club member Kevin Bickner stepped out with an early lead in round one of the event with a 74-meter jump. He sat out round two in the King of the Hill chair at the bottom of the slope and watched as fellow Norge Club jumper Kyle Kessler landed a 74.5-meter jump.
No one could surpass 74.5 meters in the third round, and Kessler was declared the winner and given a $200 cash prize. Bickner earned $120 for his second-place finish.
Nock Schott, of the Blackhawk Ski Club, rounded out the top three with a distance of 69.5 meters and an $80 prize.
Spectators collected a pickup bed full of food items that the Norge Ski Club donated to Cary-Grove Food Pantry.
“We’re very pleased with the turnout; it’s been a perfect day,” Norge Ski Club President Gene Brown said. “And we really appreciate the support of the community and the food they have donated.”
Winners
1. Kyle Kessler, Norge, 74.5 meters
2. Kevin Bickner, Norge, 74 meters
3. Nick Schott, Blackhawk, 69.5 meters