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Triple the fun: Two tourneys today, another Sunday at Giant Pine

From left, loyal ski jumping fans Eric Cook, Mike Mellon, Rob Mellon, Jeff Jayne and Nick Mellon brave the weather Friday morning at Pine Mountain. Friday’s Continental Cup event was postponed due to high winds and rescheduled for this morning. Forerunners are expected at 8 a.m., trial runs at 9 a.m., and back-to-back competitions will follow at 11 a.m. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Ski jumping starts bright and early and conditions could be ideal for today’s Bellin Health Pine Mountain Continental Cup “doubleheader” tournament.

Training jumps are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today and the first tournament is slated for 10:45, followed by a second at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday’s events are scheduled to start at 11 a.m. as the Kiwanis Ski Club hopes to host an unprecedented three Continental Cup competitions in a single weekend.

Friday’s tournament was called off by high winds, leading to today’s twin bill. The forecast is promising, calling for calm winds up to 5 mph and a high near 15 degrees. Sunday is much the same, with a high near 20, a slight chance of snow in the afternoon, and calm winds becoming northeast at about 5 mph.

A field of 61 skiers from 15 nations, including most of the current Continental Cup points leaders and two members of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team, are set to challenge Giant Pine.

MARIUS LINDVIK

A trio of Norwegian skiers might lead the pack, including Marius Lindvik, who soared a hill-record 472 feet at Pine Mountain in 2018 but fell on the landing. Joining Lindvik are Continental Cup contenders Robin Pedersen, who ranks third in points, and Andreas Granerud Buskum, who stands fourth.

Slovenia’s Bor Pavlovcic, who flew a record 476 feet last month at his home hill in Planica, is another jumper to watch. Germany, Austria and Poland are also represented by a host of skiers in contention for cup honors.

The U.S. is bringing nine athletes, including Olympians Michael Glasder and Casey Larson. It was three years ago that Glasder, of Cary, Ill., claimed the first American victory at Pine Mountain in nearly 30 years.

Michael Glasder

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