The Pine Mountain Ski Jump at one time was the highest artificial ski jump in the world at 176 feet.

Shown jumping in the late 1940s is John Bednarz of Iron Mountain.

Bednarz began skiing at age 6 and at age 15 jumped competitively for the Red Wing junior club in Iron Mountain-Kingsford for only one year before moving on to represent the senior Kiwanis Ski Club from 1948 to 1960. During his 13-year span, he had a 64% career podium rate.

The other late-1940s photo shows Bednarz, center, with Gordy Hicks at far right.

The Kiwanis Ski Club has hosted world-class competitions at Pine Mountain since 1939. This year’s FIS Continental Cup tournament is set for Feb. 20-22. Buttons are available online at www.kiwanisskiclub.com. Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic is the title sponsor.