Walters presents update on annual ski jumping competition to Golden K group

(Joanne Lindholm photo) Golden K Chairperson Sharon Scholke introduces guest speaker Lennie Walters, Kiwanis Ski Club vice president, at the Monday meeting. Walters gave the group an update on the annual Continental Cup Tournament at Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain.
KINGSFORD — Mother Nature, Old Man Winter, and Father Time worked together last week and dropped the temperatures. Golden K members have a policy — if the students don’t going to school, the seniors don’t venture out. Jan. 20 became a “stay-at home” day. It was the perfect time to grab a good book, a puzzle, and a warm blanket. Put a pot of soup to cook or a cake in the oven and settle into a comfy chair to let the day go by.
Regrouping Monday found everyone in good spirits and glad to be back at the First Presbyterian Church. Chairperson Sharon Scholke gave the bell a ring and the opening ceremonies began. Alyce Derwinski follows with a repertoire of old tunes readied for song leader Richard Ochoa.
Welcome was sung for guest speaker Lennie Walters and RSVP Director Kathy Arnold. Dorleen Uhazie picked winnings from the 50-50 raffle and Gary Proudfit read the Happy Dollar thoughts. Scholke’s thought for the day was, “A good leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”
Members were asked to make note of the change in schedule for the special needs Valentine’s party. Members will meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 17 at the church for preparation.
Lennie Walters has been a valuable part of the Kiwanis Ski Club for many years. He currently serves as vice president.
Walters has been involved with the snowmaking process on Pine Mountain since 1997. Working under all kinds of conditions, this year presented the challenging obstacle of ice. The snowmaking equipment runs on 480 volts and the steep slope was solid ice. Walking on the hillside became a challenge, which the crew met head on. The process takes around the clock attention for six days. That’s a lot of dedicated volunteer hours. Preparing the hill and the scaffold is a tedious job. There are requirements that must be met in detail.
Ski officials from Switzerland, Slovenia, and Czech Republic will be arriving to verify that competition standards are met. There will be five judges, including two from the United States and one each from Canada, Norway and the Czech Republic. Eight countries will be represented with their jumpers and trainers. A total of 37 jumpers are scheduled.
Pine Mountain currently qualifies for Continental Cup tournaments. These tournaments are the precursor to the World Cup. These two organizations celebrate the top 100 jumpers in the world. There are ongoing efforts to meet World Cup requirements with the elevator project foremost.
Cost factors, regulations, and certificate renewal have been major factors in the Kiwanis Club’s pace moving forward. For now, the Continental Cup Tournament works well for our community and the skiers competing towards the World Cup.
Competition is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. Thursday and prior to the official opening will have some early training runs.
Ski buttons are currently available through the Kiwanis Ski Club website and at the Pine Mountain Resort front desk. Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students — get them early because prices will be higher at the gate.
This is the 90th year since the founding of the Kiwani Ski Club. There is a picture of the founding members posted in the clubhouse at the top of the 500 stairs. Kiwanis has had 12 current and former members in the U.S. Ski Jumping Hall of Fame. The original scaffold, judges stand and hill stairway was completed in 1938. The first tournament was in 1939. The original hill record was set in 1939 at 256 feet. The final old wooden jump record will be forever recorded at 472 feet.
The new ski jump meets international standards and is about 180 feet high. There are 43 starting gates and 500 steps from base of the hill to the Veterans Memorial on top.
The hill is constantly groomed, with the scaffold being iced and computer cut to the perfect measurements required.
Kiwanis volunteers will begin preparing the scaffold Feb. 7-8. Take a ride by to check out the work these people do. It is amazing.