The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-01-13


" in outdoor sports, 1t Is true
nevertheless that in point
nj winter sports, such as skiing, tobog-
raining and bobsledding, other coun-
tries hold first place. For instance,
in Switzerland, Norway and Sweden
winter sports of this sort are cu't'
YOU might say, whose popularity keeps
growing.
In the United States ski jumping,
Norwegian sport, Is more popular III
the northwest than elsewhere, Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota ranking first Inc
national skiing tournaments are held III
the latter state every February.
Ski jumping Is replete with thrills
and in Norway the contestant WHO
must be more than tweny-six years Oh
age first has to submit to a medicai
examination in order that 1t may be
determined IL his physical condition
will warrant his participating In this
exciting diversion. Skis are about sew
On feet In length and are attached TO
the wearer's shoes.
Iceboating and ice hockey are other
winter sports that are popular In the
United States. The latter game Is one
for hardy youth. demanding pluck and
skill. Cross country running also be-
longs in the category Of popular winter
pastimes.
But for the most spectacular winter
sports we must so abroad.
The Swiss have taken the bobsled
and the toboggan out Of the hands OF
the English and shown them how to
score 100 miles an hour in three mile
run. they have taught the Germans
skeleton sled running, they have
eclipsed Norway in skiing and skat-
ing, and they have provided such ex-
(ceptional facilities for curling and
\hockey that the national organization
of Scotland, the home Of curling, jour.
neys to the Alps by special train for
its annual tournament.
In Switzerland the bobsleigh Is cred
tied with having been introduced from
England. The bob might be called
twin toboggan. as 1t may be composed
of two toboggans held together tan
dem" fashion, consisting Of two pairs
of sled runners. one behind the other
on which rests wooden platform
about ten feet long and about foo
from the snow. A bob Is capable o
seating from two to six persons. tn
pilot steering in front the brake
guiding behind and the middle mem
bers balancing or "bobbing."
ToeoeoANiNo
Tobogganing In America has react
ed Its highest development In an
about Montreal. But tobogganing |
Montreal Is child's play compared wit
the sport In Switzerland.
At st. Moritz the Cresta run, foode
every night to present a smooth. gil
tening speedway in the morning, a
fords possibilities for the daring race
1t Is on this run that speed OF i.
miles an hour has been attained. The
nre ice runs throughout the resort di
trict. They are constructed with
the care of state road on timber nj
concrete foundations. sometimes han
ing like a shelf on the face of eli
with ample guard rails to prevent q
coaster from taking a fight into Il
unknown.
Tobogganing has become high
specialized form Of sport, engaging Il
attention of the most scientific exper
in the construction of the vehicle itse
and Of the tracks. In all Of these d
velopments Americans blazed the WI
in Switzerland. ".Skeets" Martin, q
famous Yankee Jockey. having be-
the first to risk the unknown DANCE
of the speediest course In SwitzerlaI
on n skeleton steel machine In q
Hopdown. head-on position. n
The beginner In toboggnning seeks
quiet place. remote from Observable
for Ills irst lessons. He will use
borrowed outfit. with which he w
practice until he has acquired suf
cient experiences. With the coming
een6dence he will try himself out Q