Bouquet

From The Daily News:

While it remains to be seen how well the weather will cooperate, the spectacle that is the Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic FIS Continental Cup will again make Iron Mountain a destination this weekend.

This year’s event gained some added luster when past competitors at Giant Pine Mountain managed to strike gold in every ski jumping category involving men at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Both Domen Prevc of Slovenia — who took the top spot in large hill and in mixed teams with his sister, Nika — and normal hill winner Philipp Raymond were here in 2022, with Prevc winning two of three competitions that year. Stephan Embacher, who jumped at Pine Mountain a year ago, was part of Austria’s Olympic champion super team.

The jumps, held at Giant Pine Mountain since 1939, have managed to endure, even grow in popularity. The event is expected to again draw tens of thousands to watch competitors from nine nations: Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, France, Kazakhstan and the United States.

It also will feature the usual raucous crowd at the base of the hill, where makeshift shacks and campfires for tailgating feature plenty of food and favorite beverages. It’s all part of the unique flavor of the event.

They’ll cheer no matter how long the jump, no matter which country the athlete calls home. The teams that journey each year to the remote U.P. are much appreciated by the fans who faithfully show up in mid-winter to watch the skiers soar.

The athletes, in turn, recognize a good audience. The nations that participate in the Continental Cup have regularly named Pine Mountain a favorite venue in the world.

Returning are Jonas Schuster of Austria, who flew a then-record 456 feet during the 2024 jumps, and Clemens Aigner of Austria, who holds the all-time record of 472 feet set before hill renovations were undertaken in 2020.

The competition’s effects go far beyond Giant Pine Mountain. The restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and other businesses benefit from influx, to the tune of an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact, local officials say.

The event is a testament to the hard work of organizers and volunteers who make it possible each year, as well as the law enforcement and others who are there so the tournament can be as trouble-free as possible.

Those who attend should take a moment to acknowledge their work, be it simply a silent thanks or, even better, by taking the time to relay that appreciation to one of the Kiwanis Ski Club members or volunteers if possible.

Then enjoy the show. It likely will feature a future superstar or two in the sport.