Raue Center sits down with John Jacobsen, principal of Glacier Ridge Elementary School and board member of Raue Center, to learn more about a cool annual event in McHenry County…the Norge Ski Jump.
How long have you been an emcee and why do you do it?
I have been announcing for 19 years. I started because Connor, my son, was jumping and they were needing someone to help with music and announcing at tournaments.
How was this year’s crowd compared to last year? What made it such a success?
The crowd was huge this year. Last year was small mostly due to COVID, but this year we had about 3-4,000 0n Saturday and Sunday. It helped that this year is an Olympic year.
How old is Norge?
The club started in 1905. The original members were Norwegian immigrants that traveled to Fox River Grove from Chicago. The meeting minutes are all in Norwegian for the first 20-30 years.
You are the VP at the Raue and they just sponsored the event. Do you think it’s a good fit?
It’s absolutely a great fit. Both the theater and the ski jump club have deep historical roots in McHenry County.
Who are the jumpers to look for in the future? Anyone in the Olympics from Norge?
This year, three of the four USA Ski Jumping team members that are going to the Olympics are from Norge. Kevin Bickner and Casey Larson are going to their second games and Patrick Gasienica will be in his first. There are a handful of Norge jumpers to watch that are on track to being future Olympians.
Take a look at this year’s Norge Jump!
