Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21
sKI-RUNNING.
A Norwegian Sport That is Popular in
the West,

The mantle of snow which enveloped
Washington this week caused a number of
the "hardy Norsemen' of the House of
Representatives to cast longing eyes toward
their native heaths, and has made at least
one of them homesick for the state of his
adoption, where numbers Of his countrymen
are located and have introduced the jolly
and exhilarating Norwegian sport of ski
jumping. Representative Gilbert N. Haul
gen Of Iowa happened to be in a reminis-
cent mood when seen by a Star reporter
yesterday, and In speaking OF the sports Of
his adopted state said:
''The snow storm that we have just pass
ed through makes me quite homesick for
pair Of skis, for with the first heavy snow
of the season at home the Norwegian ma
tional sport, ski-running, Is revived, and
every man and boy who lays claim to de-
scent from the sturdy Norsemen, as well as
many others, are to be seen daily ascend
ing and descending the hills jumping and
falling, with shouts of laughter, rosy
cheeks and sparkling eyes, such as are not
inspired by any other outdoor sport. There
are but few of the male inhabitants of my
district who are not at home on the wood
en- wings of Norway, as they have been
appropriately called. The little boys. as
soon as they are able to walk, make their
debut on pair Of barrel slaves. to which
some other member of the family has at
tached straps. From this primitive substi-
tute ne passes by degrees TO SHOES that 6V-
idence the best handiwork Of a community;
they are polished like glass and balanced
to degree Of certainty that would put to
shame many pair Of standard scales. and
our youth, instead Of sliding down the gen.
tie incline found in his fathers back yard.
does not hesitate at the steepest hill to be
found within a radius of ten miles. He
descends these at express train speed,
which is followed by an celebrating jump
of hundred feet through space, to land ne
knows not where. Probably it is this ele-
ment of danger that adds zest to the sport.
THE use of the ski originated in Norway.
not with any idea of passing away the
time or for sport. but from absolute
necessity. Throughout the Land of the
Midnight Sun the winters are long and Sc
we're. and the ground for many months Is
covered with snow to q depth Of several
feet. The roads get in such shape that
they are impossible to both man and beast,
and 1t became necessarysfor the inhabitants
to adopt some method of travel or else stay
at home.
1.-THE ski was first introduced and gen.
orally used in the district known as Tele-
marker. and from there It quickly spread
throughout all sections OF the country. The
ski. unlike the snow shoe Of the American
Indian, is made to slide on as we'll as to go
over the top OF the snow, and one who I'M
derstands the use of. them can cover an
amazing distance In a day. using a gait
that Is half run and half walk, climbing as
well as descending hills without removing
them from his feet.
.Tne NorWeglanS gradually began TO see
the possibilities OF spor. in their invention.
and jumping contests were begun. A steep
hill not far from the settlement was select.
ed. and the course, consisting of track
for the slider, with q bump at the bottom.
was constructed. The bump, or take-o6. Is
made Of cord wood laid crosswise at the
lower end of the track, and Is built about
six feet high, inclined 80 70 throw the
runner into the air when he leaves 1t. The
cordwood. which gives firmness. is covered
with snow. Each hamlet boasts OF local
champion, and q system OF tournaments
was tnausurated. Nowadays q number az