Ski Jumping at Glenwood

 When you think of Glenwood you think about Lake Minnewaska, not Ski Jumping.  Would you believe the first National Ski Championship was held at Glenwood?

I noticed the ski ridge at Barsness Park, then found some historical photos of ski jumping at Glenwood and Starbuck.

Why Glenwood?  Remember, this area was settled by Scandinavians.  In the early years they used skis for transportation and the ski sport evolved naturally.  Here is the full story.

National Ski Championship at Glenwood, Minnesota

Gene Estensen

 

The first National Ski Championship was held at Glenwood, Minnesota in 1916. The Association publication, SKI ANNUAL, contained the following announcements:

 

The National Ski Association of America has reason to congratulate itself over the selection of Glenwood as the National Ski Tournament city for 1916. A more ideal location than that of Glenwood would be hard to find. The city itself is beautiful, modern, and progressive, with a citizenship of which any city would be proud. Coupled with this, its unrivalled advantages as a ski tournament town, where the ski lover may indulge in his favorite sport under the most favorable natural advantages and amid pleasing scenic beauty, as well as a population whose appreciation of the sport is on a high intellectual plane, leaves nothing to be desired. Glenwood has made good.

 

Nearly one hundred skiers participated in the tournament, and twenty-five delegates attended the convention. Former Governor Eberhardt of Minnesota attended the tournament and convention and addressed the delegates in the behalf of St. Paul. Former State Auditor Iverson and Lieut. Governor Theo. Frankson also honored the tournament and convention with their presence.

 

Three motion picture cameras had operators present and took films of all tournament contestants as well as the cross-country run. Exhibitions of these in all parts of the country, not to mention in foreign lands, will hardly serve to detract from Glenwood's fame as a city of winter sports.

 

The following were winners at this first National Tournament:

Class A

1. Henry Hall, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

2. Ragnar Ostvedt, Chicago, Illinois.

3. Carl Hall, Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

4. Torleif Knutson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

5. Axel Hendrickson, Duluth, Minnesota.

6. Bert Hanson, Colerain, Minnesota. (Tie)

7. Sigard Overby, Hudson, Wisconsin. (Tie)

8. Oscar Gunderson, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. (Tie)

9. Lars Haugan, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

10. Barney Riley, Blair, Wisconsin.

 

Class B

1. Andeas Olson, Iola, Wisconsin.

2. Gilbert Haugan, Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin.

3. Gunnar Overland, Glenwood, Minnesota.

4. Earl Sunderson, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

5. L. A. Heily, Northfield, Minnesota.

6. Kristen Jellum, Chicago, Illinois.

7. Fred Godfrey, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

8. Arne Sletner, Chicago, Illinois.

9. Adolph Fagerlund, Northfield, Minnesota.

10. E. Syverson, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

11. Eugene Sather, Glenwood, Minnesota.

12. Albert Palm, Red Wing, Minnesota.

Longest standing jump - Andreas Olson.

 

Class C. - Boys

1. Oliver Kaldahl, Glenwood, Minnesota.

2. Phillip Peterson, Glenwood, Minnesota.

3. Carl Norquist, Glenwood, Minnesota.

4. George Fox, Glenwood, Minnesota.

5. Glen Bennett, Glenwood, Minnesota.

6. Arnold Roll, Glenwood, Minnesota.

7. Dick McCauley, Glenwood, Minnesota.

8. Ernst Dahl, Starbuck, Minnesota.

9. Olger Brosvig, Glenwood, Minnesota.

10. Mannie Kaldahl, Glenwood, Minnesota.

Longest standing jump - Earnest Kaldahl, 102 feet.

 

Thanks to the skiers, visitors, and banquet guests are due to:

T. O. Ofsthun, G. C. Torguson, G. C. Wellan, E. E. Kaldahl, Theo. Aune, Julius Haugan, Michael Wollan, Sverge Overraine, Corny Wollan, and others who made our visit a pleasant one and the tournament a success.