Markus Eisenbichler of Germany flies through the air on the final day of competition at the Marshfield Dickinson Pine Mountain Continental Cup meet Sunday at Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain. (Dave Kallmann photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — As Markus Eisenbichler prepared to take his final jump Sunday during the FIS Continental Cup, a buzz began to form around Pine Mountain.

In what was Eisenbichler’s last jump at Giant Pine, the German soared 453 feet and took home first place with a total score of 294.9. He went 448 feet on his first jump.

When he reached the landing, Eisenbichler knew he had a good score. However, there was one jumper left, so he had to wait.

“I knew one guy was up there,” Eisenbichler said. “After his jump, I realized I’m winning. It was really nice. I can’t understand the feeling. I need to think for one or two hours to fully understand everything.”

Eisenbichler, 33, plans to retire from jumping at the end of this season.

Austria’s Markus Mueller brought home second place with a 280.7 final score, jumping 446 feet on his final jump. Norway’s Robert Johansson was third with a total score of 263.5, Austria’s Jonas Schuster took fourth, Slovenia’s Zak Mogel finished fifth and Norway’s Fredrick Villumstad was sixth.

“It felt really great,” Eisenbichler said. “I made really good jumps this weekend. It’s a pleasure for me to win here. I love this hill so much. It’s not easy to win, because we have strong guys here in the Continental Cup. I’m really happy.”

Although Eisenbichler won’t return to the hill as a competitor, he will be back as a coach.

“I am coming back in one or two years, I think,” Eisenbichler said. “First, I need to rest after the season. Let’s see what happens. I’m coming back of course.”

For Eisenbichler — last year’s Robert “Butch” Wedin Weekend Warrior award winner — it’s the fans that make this event so memorable.

“It’s amazing for me,” Eisenbichler said. “The crowd here is always really good. “The culture here in the U.S. makes it a bit easier,” he added. “It’s a big event and they’re cheering so much. That is, for me, quite easy to jump. The atmosphere is great and I’m always happy to jump here. I love it here.”

While winning is sweet, it isn’t what drives Eisenbichler, who also finished with a second and two thirds during the weekend competition.

“I always want to enjoy my jumps, and enjoy the atmosphere here, that’s what’s important,” he said. “It’s not important to win.”

Last year, the final day of competition was canceled due to wind.

However, the 2025 Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson Continental Cup went off without a hitch with four competitions taking place over the three days.

“Thursday, excellent training,” Kiwanis Ski Club resident Nick Blagec said.

“Friday, excellent competition. Saturday, the second competition was good. The first one was really good, then today, everything went smoothly. This weekend, everything went perfect.”

Overall, Blagec was happy with the outcome.

“FIS Ski Jumping is happy with us, so we’re happy. I want to thank my hill crew and everyone associated with the Kiwanis Ski Club for putting on a beautiful tournament.”

In addition to the three contests normally held at Giant Pine, there was a fourth competition added this year but the Kiwanis Ski Club is used to advancing the sport.

“This happens every two or three years,” Blagec said. “We were the first one to do three. Now, we’re the first one to do four. It’s just an extra amount of time. The hill has to be perfect and we want to keep up our reputation, which is the best in the world.”

While the ski jump will continue for the foreseeable future at Pine Mountain, the Kiwanis Ski Club is always welcoming new members.

“Our club is getting a little long in the tooth,” Blagec said. “We’ve got people, but it’s long days, getting the hill perfect.

“We could use some younger people, because we want to keep this competition going as long as we can,” he said.