Kara Silva, TribLocal reporter

Athletes from all over the country ventured to Fox River Grove Sept. 19 to partake in a winter event held annually at the end of summer. The Norge Ski Club held it’s 26th annual Norge Summer Ski Jump tournament Sept. 19, allowing 27 skiiers to compete in 3 jumps for the top honor.

The snow-less 150-foot jump powered by plastic surfaces sprayed with water, sits atop a 200 foot high hill, served as the competition battle-ground where skiiers got two chances to compete as well as a trial jump. The skiier that jumped the farthest distance was named Norge Ski Jump champion.

Jumping 75 meters, Michael Glasder, 21, of Cary took the top title in the Men's Open Category. Other top competitors included Christian Friberg of St. Paul, Minn., Annie Frenette of Lake Placid, N.Y. and Christian Friberg of St. Paul, Minn. in the Boys and Girls Open, and Karin Friberg of St. Paul, Minn. in the Women's Open.

Glasder, the 2010 Norge Ski Jump Champion, left Monday alongside the U.S. Ski Team for a competition in Sweden.

For more photos, click here.