Chicago-Area Athletes Qualify for Olympic Ski Jumping Competition

Chicago-area athletes kicked off the Olympic ski jumping competition in high fashion -- literally.

Three ski jumpers from Chicago's suburbs all qualified for this weekend's final event in Pyeongchang, where they will have their first chance at medaling.

Michael Glasder, Kevin Bickner, and Casey Larson, all members of the prestigious Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, will compete in the Normal Hill Individual final event Saturday, one day after the opening ceremony.

"It's incredible," Larson said. "I don't really have words for it."

A suburban ski club is buzzing with excitement, with larger-than-usual crowds at their annual competition thanks to the upcoming Winter Olympics and some local stars. NBC 5’s Ash-har Quraishi reports.

Glasder, who won the Olympic Ski Jumping Trials to punch his ticket to Pyeongchang, will be joined by Bickner, who is currently in 46^th in the Ski Jumping World Cup standings, and Larson, a Barrington-native who is competing in his first Olympics.

"I'm going to shoot for a top 10," said Bickner, who added that he's also reaching for a personal best.