By KAREN KASPER

Ishpeming Historical

Society and Cliffs

Shaft Mine Museum

ISHPEMING — The ski jumping season of 1950 could be considered part of the golden age of ski jumping. The Ishpeming Ski Club had a large membership, there were plenty of ski jumping tournaments in the Midwest and Ishpeming had a roster of over 20 jumpers that would be assigned to a particular tournament. In addition, the Ski Club had some top riders, capable of winning those tournaments.

“Assignments of Ishpeming Ski Club riders to their first 1950 tournament competition have been made.

Seven riders will enter the Eau Clair, Wis., meet Sunday and 15 were given assignments to a tournament in Munising the same date. “(Mining Journal, January 3, 1950)

Ishpeming skiers walked off with most of the honors in the Central U.S. ski jumping meet held in Eau Claire, Wis. Sunday and set a new hill record while they were doing so.

The meeting opened the new slide at Hendrickson hill, with jumpers from the Upper Peninsula taking six of 14 top spots.

Ralph Bietala of Ishpeming won the tourney with jumps of 158 and 163 feet for 146 points, edging out Sverre Fredheim of Glenwood, Minn., who had 145 points.

For three of the Ishpeming riders, Joe Perrault, Ralph Bietala and Wilbur Rasmussen, the FIS world championship meet was fast approaching. All three riders were part of the US jumping team.

In an interview shortly before he departed for the world championship, Perrault cautioned the readers of the Mining Journal to lower their expectations of the American ski jumping team.

The holder of the North American distance record said there was very little snow at Lake Placid and that members of the cross-country team were forced to train on frozen grass at the Lake Placid club grounds.

“When we first got to Lake Placid,” Perrault said, “we were jumping on a 40 meter hill which had been partially covered with snow. We had to jump 35 meters to land on the snow but that was rained out and we could do no further training on the hill. Another hill, good only for 60-foot jumps, was readied near the high school and the in-run had snow just wide enough for two skis.”” (Mining Journal, January 25, 1950)

Perrault also pointed out that many of the foreign riders had been practicing since October and November and had a decided edge on the US riders.

His words proved to be accurate. “Four men were injured seriously enough to be hospitalized in yesterday’s jump, which went to Christian Mohn of Norway, now a student at the University of Vermont.

Joe Perrault, Ishpeming Mich., holder of the US distance ski mark, suffered a severe sprain of the leg.

Perrault, who was counted on to place well up in the meet, was among the 21 skiers to fail in their jumps from the Intervale hill, covered with pulverized ice.

He was released from the hospital after examination.” (Mining Journal, January 30, 1950)

The only other Ishpeming rider, Ralph Bietala, placed 30th in the meet.

Ishpeming’s own tournament, set for the latter part of February, began to loom large. “Committees and other assignments have been made by the Ishpeming Ski club to handle details of the tournaments here Feb 18 and 19.

The Central U.S. Ski association jumping championships will be held on Suicide hill Saturday, Feb. 18, and the 63rd club tournament the following day.”

There were still meets to attend, however, including tournaments at Alston, Marquette and Negaunee.

“Gerald Gauthier of the Ishpeming Ski club won Class A honors in the annual meet held here (Alston) yesterday.

Gauthier piled up 149.7 points on leaps of 158 and 153 feet.” (Mining Journal, February 6, 1950)

Both the Marquette and Negaunee tournaments were held on the same day, Sunday February 12th. “More than 100 riders are expected to compete in Negaunee’s annual junior ski tournament Sunday, beginning at 1:30 on Steep hill. Steep hill, in the Buffalo location is a natural hill and ideal for jumping form. It is often used constantly as a practice hill by riders of the Ishpeming Ski Club. “ (Mining Journal, February 7, 1950)

“Seventy-nine riders have entered the second annual ski jumping tournament to be held on Kirlin hill in Marquette, Sunday Feb. 12, sponsored by the Marquette ski club.” (Mining Journal, February 9, 1950)

“It was Gerald ‘Paddy’ Gauthier’s day at Kirlin hill yesterday. Ishpeming’s Big Class A rider set a new hill record, shared the most graceful rider title with his townsman, Clarence Rasmussen, and featured in a twin ride stunt event.

Gauthier travelled 166 feet on his second leap in the Marquette Ski club’s second annual tournament to erase Rasmussen’s 162 foot mark, set last year. Coupled with his first ride of 149 feet, Gauthier earned a point total of 148.5.” (Mining Journal, February 13, 1950)

Both Class A and B titles went to Ishpeming riders, with Roy Gregg taking the Class B honors. He had rides of 134 and 129 feet for a 134.1 point total.

“Clem Packmayer, of Ironwood, made the twin jump with Gauthier as a tournament feature. The riders descended the hill side by side, parting after the take-off to provide a spectacular treat for the fans.” (Mining Journal, February 13, 1950)

“Olavi Kuronen, of Finland, who won the National Ski association tournament in Duluth, Minn., Sunday and the three members of Finland’s Olympic ski-jumping team will arrive in Ishpeming tomorrow.” (Mining Journal, February 13, 1950)