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Nordic Combined

Fletcher Closes Out Grand Prix Strong

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
September, 4 2016
OBERSTDORF, Germany (Sept. 3, 2016) - Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) put in two strong cross country performances to record 18th and ninth place finishes in a pair of FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix events in Oberstdorf Friday and Saturday. Norway’s 18-year-old sensation Jarl Magnus Riiber remained unbeatable, taking two easy victories.
 
In Friday’s competition, Riiber carried over a one minute lead after the jump. Fletcher, meanwhile, was 29th in the jump and over two minutes back. Ben Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Youth Olympic Games medalist Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) were 15th and 16th in the jump.
 
“The level of jumping is so high right now because of one guy,” said Fletcher of Riiber. “He is the best jumper in all of Norway and could easily be the top guy on the ski jumping World Cup. That being said, to only start 2:50 behind him is somewhat a success. In the meantime, we are going to continue to jump and work on the technical aspects of jumping to close that gap down.” 
 
In the roller ski segment, Fletcher put down the fourth fastest time to move up to 18th. Loomis ended up 32nd, with Berend 35th.
 
Taylor Fltecher sprints through the stadium in Oberstdorf. (FIS-Sandra Volk)
 
“Unfortunately, I didn’t have the best roller ski race,” he said. “I felt weak from the start and I don’t know if it was the skis I had or my body. I know I didn’t have the best roller skis as I was losing ground on the downhill and, being a bigger guy on the tour, that shouldn’t really happen.”
 
The Grand Prix uses a lottery system for skis, with each athlete essentially picking a random number and being assigned to a pair of roller skis.
 
“The variation in the skis can be big as some aren’t the straightest or fastest, but there is nothing I can do about that,” said Fletcher. “I tried hard to push the pace and make up time, but I may of pushed a little hard in laps two and three. I actually hit the wall physically on lap four, but somehow I was able to regain some strength and catch my group again and be in the mix for the rest of the race. On the last lap, I didn’t have the legs on the final climb and I just lost the front of the group at the bottom.” 
 
In Saturday’s finale, Riiber again led by nearly a second after the jump. Berend was 12th but still two minutes back. Fletcher again found himself with nearly a three minute gap to close, and had challenges on the roller skis but still came in ninth.
 
“Today was another solid competition,” said Fletcher. “Jumping again was on a high level even though I only went 113.5 meters. Riiber is on a different planet and it is fun to watch him jump. With better timing I would have had a much further jump, but I can't look back and be too disappointed with my performances this weekend. I showed that I am jumping much better and still skiing fast which is great, as nordic combined can be a give and take issue! The more you work on one side the harder it is to keep form on the other skill.”
 
Fletcher was pleased with his roller ski effort, moving up steadily to catch the main pack.
 
“I was hoping to get some help but it seemed that no one really wanted to contribute to the work,” he said. “At that point it was just a little to big of a gap to think about trying to catch them with only a few laps left. From there I focused on making it to the line first in my group and winning the sprint. Thankfully I had some energy to stay with the group up the last hill and the come around them at the finish!”
 
Fletcher finished the four-event Grand Prix in 15th, despite being disqualified on a suit violation in the second event earlier this week in Villach, Austria.
 
“This was a solid trip coming away with good progress on the hill and in competitions,” he said. “This is great motivation for the winter.” 
 
“The Summer Grand Prix was a very positive test for us, having not been in Europe at all until the SGP,” said Head Coach Dave Jarrett. “Taylor showed that he is one of the fastest guys and his jumping is on a personal high and consistent level.”
 
Jarrett was also pleased with the progress of the younger athletes. “It was a big revelation with Ben Berend and Ben Loomis on the jumping hill,” he added.  Both were consistently top 20 jumpers in all comps. We have something to build from in these young guys.”
 
The team was without Bryan Fletcher for the week, who was home with wife Nikki for the birth of their first child. “I feel Bryan would have been fighting for top 10 in jumping and high overall rankings,” said Jarrett. “Adam (Loomis) continues to work hard and is looking for better form. And our young guy, Stephen Schumann (Park City, UT) showed his ability on the World Cup level as well and he has a bright future.” It was Schumann’s first major international competition.
 
The dominance of Riiber, as well as the recent rules changes to make distance points in jumping more valuable, was of concern to Jarrett.
 
“Jarl Riiber is jumping on a very high level,” said Jarrett. “He is splitting the field in every competition. And with the new rules changes, it became solely a race for second and third."
 
Big weekend for Ben Berend on the jumps in Oberstdorf. (FIS-Sandra Volk)
 
RESULTS
 
 
 
 

Taylor Takes Top 10 in Opener

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 28 2016

OBERWIESENTHAL, Germany (Aug. 28, 2016) - Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) put down the gauntlet in the opening FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix, winning the roller ski segment and finishing seventh overall in Oberwiesenthal. Norway's Jarl Magnus Riiber took a 2.8 second win over Austrian Mario Seidel. Bjoern Kircheisen of Germany was third.

Fletcher jumped to 26th and was saddled with a two minute, 25 second handicap going into the afternoon roller ski. Despite that, he moved up quickly through the pack, attacking on the city streets and coming with 10.2 seconds of the win, taking more than a 12 second margin over the second fastest roller skier.

"Today was a good step forward," said Fletcher. "I am pleased, for sure, but know I still have my work to do. I have had some really good jumps lately but haven't had them in the competition yet. Today I put in a great jump after my miss yesterday (in team spring) so that was a great feeling. I think this will help me relax knowing that with a jump like this I am in the hunt with my skiing, but of course the goal is to make it easier on the cross country side. The conditions were all over the place today so it was luck of the draw and up to you to have your best effort. This make the result satisfying knowing that!"
 
Sunday Fletcher flew 93.0 meters - eight meters longer than in Saturday's team sprint, where he and Ben Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) were 14th.

“The individual event was positive on the jumping side with Taylor performing well in comp as did Stephen Schumann, Ben Loomis and Adam Loomis (who was disqualified on a suit violation),” said Head Coach Dave Jarrett. “Our two young guys did a good job and will continue to improve as they get more World Cup experience. Taylor had a great race and was in the hunt for the podium, if not the win, but didn't have it in the last 200 meters.”

The 18-year-old Riiber had a sensational day, flying 101.0 meters to take a commanding lead. He paced himself in the nearly 90-degree heat to take the win.
 
"This was an amazing weekend for me in Oberwiesenthal with great weather and conditions," he said. "It was perfect."
 
Sunday's individual event was a realistic test with a stong lineup of the best nordic combined skiers. The USA had most of its top athletes, with the exception of Taylor's brother Bryan, home in Park City, Utah awaiting the birth of his first child.
 
"The field here is no different than normal with a few absences," said Taylor Fletcher. "A couple Norwegians are staying home to train but their best jumpers are here and that makes it tough. The roller skiing is always a little bit different, as some skiers are much faster on roller skis than snow and some or much better on snow. I feel my form carries over well on both sides and I can use that to my advantage. The summer events are brutal because of the heat for sure. Once you go through equipment at the top you can't touch your suit, making it feel like your in a sauna till you jump. The rollerskiing is hot as well as the pavement is warm and you feet really warm up in these winter cross country boots, but that part of the game and everyone had to deal with it."
 
Stephen Schumann (Park City, UT) was 42nd in his Grand Prix debut. Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) was 45th.
 
The tour now heads to Villach, Austria for an event on Wednedsay before wrapping up on the large hill in Oberstdorf, Germany next weekend.

RESULTS
Official Results 
 

Bickner 7th After Taking First Round Lead

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 28 2016

HAKUBA, Japan (Aug. 28, 2016) - American Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL) soared to one of his best performances ever Sunday, taking the first round lead and holding on for a career-best seventh in a FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix on the Olympic jumps in Hakuba. Japan's Taku Takeuchi took the win after finishing second Saturday on the HS131 meter hill.

Bickner, who great up skiing in Chicago's Norge Ski Club, soared 135.0 meters on his first jump to take the lead over Takeuchi. Bickner's towering jump came within one meter of the hill record of 136.0 meters held by Swiss Olympic champion Simon Amman. It boosted him into 16th place in the Summer Grand Prix standings, despite competing in only three of the six events so far.

"It was a bit surprising considering I don't feel as comfortable on this hill," laughed Bickner after the competition. "But I had a great jump in the right conditions and was able to make the most of it. I think getting a new hill record would've been very exciting and so getting so close to that distance meant a lot for me. Now I know I'm capable of going just as far as the top guys." 

With two Grand Prix weekends under his belt, Bickner is starting to feel the confidence that is so important in athletics.
 
"I don't think I've really changed much in the way I've been training from last year to this year but I was able to figure some important things out on the hill and I think when a lot of little things clicked, it added up and made a huge difference," he said. "I made some slight changes to my form this summer and it's obviously worked in my favor so far."
 
Four events remain in the Grand Prix, with Bickner planning to compete in the final two events Oct. 1-2 at Hinzenbach, Austria and Klingenthal, Germany. He is not presently expected to compete in the Sept. 10-11 events in Chaikovsky, Russia, but is looking forward to being in the field Oct. 9 for the U.S. Ski Jumping Championships in Lake Placid, NY.

The FIS Summer Grand Prix features most of the top World Cup ski jumpers. Bickner's performances have ranked as the best for Americans since Clint Jones finished second on the tour in the fall of 2002.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL), of the Norge Ski Club, scored a career-best seventh in a FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix on the Olympic jumps in Hakuba, Japan.
  • Bickner led the first round and came within a meter of the hill record.
  • He now stands in 16th in the tour with four events remaining

RESULTS
Official Results

Bickner Strong Again in Grand Prix

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 27 2016

HAKUBA, Japan (Aug. 27, 2016) - The USA's Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL) from Chicago's Norge Ski Club continued to show his strength, finishing 16th Saturday on the HS131 meter hill in Hakuba at a FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix. It followed on the heels of his eighth place finish in Einsiedln, Switzerland three weeks ago. Norway's Anders Fannemel took the win over Japan's Taku Takeuchi.

Bickner soared 120.0 and 122.0 meters to finish with 220.9 points under the lights on the 1998 Olympic venue. Despite missing the first three events of the summer tour, Bickner stands 19th with five events remaining, including a second jump Sunday in Hakuba. It's the best U.S. performance in the summer version of the World Cup since Clint Jones finished second on the tour in 2002.

"I wasn't sure how I would do here - I really struggled on this hill last year," said Bickner. "But I had pretty good first round jump in some difficult conditions, which put me in a nice position for the second round. I had a little more luck in the second round. I made a few mistakes but was still able to improve my previous distance by a couple meters. I'm satisfied with how today went but I think I'm capable of a top ten tomorrow if I hit both of my jumps right."

Bickner had skipped the opening three events of the Grand Prix in July to focus on the L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships and Springer Tournee events in Park City. He went to the Swiss event in early August, putting down an eighth place finish.

The FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix is on the HS131 meter hill at Hakuba, Japan, site of the 1998 Olympics.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kevin Bickner continued his strong summer performance finishing 16th in the first of two FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix events on the Olympic jump in Hakuba.
  • Combined with his eighth in Einsiedln, Switzerland three weeks ago, Bickner has had the strongest U.S. Grand Prix results since Clint Jones finished second on the tour in 2002.
  • He now stands 19th in the tour with five events remaining.
  • Bickner will jump again Sunday in Hakuba.

RESULTS
Official Results

 

Sarah Hendrickson: What Makes A Champ

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 9 2016

From local ski hills to the PyeongChang Olympics, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) encompasses all athletes that share a passion for skiing and snowboarding. We explore what makes each skier and rider a champion with stories from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing, next to kids winning a NASTAR medal, landing their first cork 7 or joining a club team. Alongside USSA’s mascot Champ, take a look at how all of these athletes strive to be Best in the World.

In order to fly again, ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) has had to relearn how to walk. After multiple knee surgeries and recoveries, Sarah is working hard at physical therapy and in the gym in order to get back on snow for the 2016-17 season and remains steadily focused on one thing: Olympic gold in 2018. 


"Knee surgery number 5. Bring it on." - Sarah emits positivity on her social media throughout her recovery.
 

“Instead of giving up on my dreams, I use my setbacks to my advantage as motivation” said Sarah. “Two really big lessons I’ve learned in coming back from injuries is that the hard work will pay off and it will be worth it.”

Sarah’s journey started at her home of Park City, UT. She learned how to ski at the young age of two, while ski jumping came shortly after when she was inspired by her big brother who was doing an after-school jumping program. Her family has always fueled her love of athletics and her drive to do her best. 


Sarah on the slopes at age three.
 

“The person I turn to when I need motivation is my mom,” said Sarah. “She’s been there every step of the way. She helps to remind me of my past success so I can continue to look forward.”

Sarah’s ski jumping successes began during the 2011-12 season, when women’s ski jumping held its first International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup. Hendrickson dominated that year, winning nine events and the overall title. The following season, she was a close second for the season title behind long-time rival Sara Takanashi of Japan. That same season, Sarah went on to win the women’s event at the 2013 World Championship in Val di Fiemme, Italy—her favorite accomplishment of her career so far. 


Sarah is hoisted up by her teammates after winning the 2013 FIS World Championships.
 

Coming off of winning a World Championship medal, Sarah was on top of the world heading in to the 2014 Olympic preparation period. While training in Oberstdorf, Germany in late August, she flew 148 meters, setting a new personal distance record. But, when she went to land, Sarah crashed and fell, suffering a serious knee injury which required reconstructive surgery for a damaged ligament.

“When I crashed, the first thought that crossed my mind was the possibility that I wouldn't make Sochi,” recalled Sarah. “I was World Champion at the time and at a really good place in my life. My jumping was the best it had ever been. I was devastated that I might not be able to make the Olympics with the injury but I had to try.”

After many physical therapy sessions and lots of hard work, Sarah was named to the team for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Her first time at the Olympics would also be the first time women’s ski jumping was included in the Games. Completing her pre- competition ritual of always tying her left bootlace before her right at the top of the hill before a jump, Sarah was given the honor to jump bib 1 at the Olympics. She made history that day, becoming the first woman to literally ever ski jump in the Olympics.

“Making the Olympic team was beyond special,” said Sarah. “Of course I had to change my goals of winning gold with my knee injury, but to be included still left me speechless. All those hours training and sacrifices finally seemed to be paying off.”


Sarah soars at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. 

After the Olympics, Sarah continued to do well on the World Cup, finishing eighth overall during the 2014-15 season. But, during summer training in June 2015, she reinjured her knee and opted to take the 2015-16 season off to undergo major reconstructive surgery. Looking forward to this winter season and the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, Sarah has been focused on her strict summer workout routine — cardio, strength, physical therapy and recovery techniques. She’ll continue to do that until she can get back on snow.


 

USSA communications intern Fiona Morrison sat down with Sarah to explore what she believes makes a champion. Here’s what she had to say:

U.S. SKI TEAM: In your words, what makes a champion?
SARAH HENDRICKSON: To be a champion, you have to be willing to put in hard and time consuming work. You have to remain resilient to any road bumps you face as well as maintaining a certain kind of stubbornness. You have to have a mindset that is open to try new things.

U.S. SKI TEAM: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion? Tell us about that moment.
SH: I’d have to say that I’ve never felt like one. I’m still waiting for the time to come because I’m not done accomplishing things. I look forward to the moment when it finally happens.

U.S. SKI TEAM: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for aspiring kids who want to be sitting where you are today?
SH: My three biggest pieces of advice for others are: first, never stop dreaming. Second, be stubborn when people tell you “no.” And third, don’t follow the typical path.

Now, we want to hear your answers! Tell us what makes you a champion on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and include #WhatMakesAChamp.

No Results Found

Bickner Top 10 in Switzerland

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 8 2016

EINSIEDELN, Switzerland (Aug. 8, 2016) – Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; USA Nordic/Norge Ski Club) snagged a career-best finish at the FIS Grand Prix against many top World Cup jumpers, taking eighth place.

Bickner jumped 111.5 and 114.5 meters on the large hill against a strong field that included 14 nations. Maciej Kot of Poland won the Grand Prix, followed by teammate Kamil Stoch in second and Michael Hayboeck of Austria in third. Mike Glasder (Cary, IL; Norge Ski Club) was the only over U.S. athlete to participate, but did not make the final cut.

“I knew today if I jumped like I’ve been jumping the last couple of weekends, a decent result would come,” said Bickner. “But it was a little unexpected for this result to come so soon in a high level competition. It just gives me more confidence knowing it wasn’t my best performance.”

Bickner’s finish was the first top-10 result by an American in a Grand Prix or World Cup event since 2002, when Clint Jones (Steamboat Springs, CO) took second in the Innsbruck, Austria Grand Prix.  

Next up, the ski jumpers head to the Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix in Hakuba, Japan on August 26.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kevin Bickner took eighth place at the FIS Grand Prix in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
  • It was Bickner’s best result in his career so far.
  • Bickner was second in the U.S. Ski Jumping Championships last weekend.
  • It was the best ski jumping result for an American in a World Cup or Grand Prix since 2002, when Clint Jones was second in Innsbruck, Austria.
  • The ski jumpers next head to the Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix in Hakuba, Japan on August 26.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Ski Jumping Grand Prix results

Debut Gold for Taylor Fletcher

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
July, 31 2016

SOLDIER HOLLOW, UT (July 30, 2016) - Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) broke away from the pack with a kilometer remaining to take his first national title at the L.L.Bean U.S. Nordic Combined Championship at Soldier Hollow. Brother Bryan Fletcher took silver with Ben Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) earning bronze after leading the jump.

In the morning HS134 meter jump at the Utah Olympic Park, Berend threw down the gauntlet with a towering 125.0 meter jump to take a 17 second lead over Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) of the Flying Eagles Ski Club who went 122.5 meters. Bryan Fletcher found himself 26 seconds back, with Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) 52 seconds out, two seconds ahead of Taylor Fletcher.
 
"This is, by far, some of the best jumping we’ve had as a team," said Taylor Fletcher. "I had a rough trial and was able to get that away. (Jumping Coach) Nick (Huber) told me to just go for it and be aggressive. I was extremely happy to put together a good jump for the competition round. That makes my job easier on the cross country course."
 
Head Coach Dave Jarrett echoed the team strength on the jumps. "It was good to see everyone jumping pretty well. For us to be relatively close to the special jumpers is a good sign for July."
 
 
Ben Berend paved the way, leading in the morning jump. (USSA-Tom Kelly)
 
Young Stephen Schumann (Park City, UT) was a strong sixth. Jasper Good (Steamboat Springs, CO) had trouble with his jump and stood seventh, a minute, 49 seconds behind Berend.
 
Heading into the evening 10k cross country leg at Soldier Hollow, Taylor Fletcher knew he had to act quickly to get ahead of Adam Loomis. The four lap course featured the longer laps first and last, with shorter legs in the middle. Temperatures moderated a bit, but it was still a hot and steamy Utah evening on the grueling Olympic course.
 
"I’ve been skiing really strong all summer," added Fletcher. "I knew if I was fresher than the other guys I could put some time on the field on Hermod’s. I paid the price a little bit early on. When I caught Bryan and Ben I sat in a little bit - I hate to do that, but that’s how you win races."
 
The leaders are shoulder to shoulder heading into the final lap at the L.L.Bean U.S. Nordic Combined Championships. (USSA-Tom Kelly)
 
Taylor Fletcher went to work on Adam Loomis on lap one, putting in a gap and working way up to brother Bryan still 25 seconds ahead. Berend, meanwhile, set a strong pace but knew the Fletchers were coming. By mid race, the threesome had packed up and were screaming around the corners and staying evening on the uphills. Eventually, they all knew that the legendary Hermod’s would make it or break it.
 
On the final lap, brothers Fletcher broke ahead of Berend. Now it was just the two of them. On the final climb of Hermod’s, Taylor put on the gas and gapped out in front of his older brother. Coming into the finish, he jubilantly threw up his hands in victory - earning a first ever national title.
 
"It’s nice to have that title finally," said Fletcher. "The last few years I’ve been second or third, it’s a lot nicer to be on the top. I’m just ecstatic to say I’m national champion for the first time."

 

The event was a milestone, too, for Berend. “It was truly an incredible day,” he said. “I was really confident going into the jumping competition as that has always been my strength. So when I won the jumping, that’s when the nerves really set in.”
 
An established jumper, cross country has been a big training focus for the Steamboat Springs native. "Ben had a great race," added Jarrett. "He managed the cross country race well. He’s been working hard and deserves a good performance."
 
“This spring I sat down with many of my leaders such as Dave Jarrett (Head Coach), Jon Schafer (High Performance Director) and Dave Cieslowski (Physical Therapist). Between all these amazing people I got enough info to really formulate a plan to improve. It seemed like in the race, everything I’ve been working on just came together.”
 
Berend went out hard, turning a strong first lap time. He held his own through the midway point before he heard the Fletchers coming on hard.
 
“Going into the last hill I was still right with them,” said Berend. “For a slight moment a thought crossed into my mind, ‘I’m going to try and beat these guys.’ Pretty much at that second, the Bryan and Taylor absolutely took off and left me limping along in their dust. I feel like that result ywas a major barrier that I needed to break down. It was truly a dream come true to stand on that podium with my mentors and best friends.” 

The L.L.Bean U.S. Nordic Combined Championships was the kickoff to what will be a busy August for the team. USA Nordic Sports is sending the entire team to Europe for training and Grand Prix competition. It's a vital step in an important World Championship season.

RESULTS
L.L.Bean U.S. Nordic Combined Championship
Utah Olympic Park - Soldier Hollow
Jumping Results  
Official Final Results 
 

Repeat Title for Will Rhoads

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
July, 30 2016

PARK CITY, UT (July 30, 2016) - USA Nordic ski jumper Will Rhoads (Park City, UT) won an action-packed competition Saturday at the Utah Olympic Park to claim a repeat title on the HS134 meter large hill during the 2017 L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships. Kevin Bickner (Park City, UT) of the Norge Ski Club in suburban Chicago took silver with fellow Norge jumper Casey Larson (Barrington, IL) claiming bronze. 

Against a tight field, Rhoads took the first round lead, jumping last and soaring 132.5 meters to lead over Bickner 138.0 to 135.9, despite Bickner’s 133.0 meter ride. Canadian Maken Boyd-Clowes pushed his first rounder out past the hill record at 139.5 meters, but crashed on landing. 
 
Junior Larson flew 129.5 to put himself into third position overall after the first jump, with Glasder fourth.
 
Norge Ski Club junior Casey Larson soared to a bronze medal. (USSA-Tom Kelly)
Kevin Bickner flew to silver. (USSA-Sarah Brunson)
 
 
 
In the second round, Boyd-Clowes landed a 133.0 meter jump to move up to third overall. Bickner went 130.5 meters, Larson 126.0 meters and Glasder 122.5 meters. Rhoads sealed the win with a 132.0 meter flight for gold. Only Americans counted in the medals.
 
Rhoads and his teammates knew they had an opportunity to fly in the first round with a higher start position and more speed. "In the first round, I thought the speed was a little high," said Rhoads. "We joked about going for the hill record and Mackenzie almost had it. It wasn’t my best technical jump of the week but I had the lead. I knew in the second round I needed a good jump to stay on top and I had one."
 
Despite coming in as the favorite and defending large hill champion, Rhoads was prepared. "The pressure is coming from our whole team doing so much better," he said. "It says a lot about how far we’ve come with our program."

A good crowd was on hand for ideal jumping conditions at the Utah Olympic Park. "This event is always exciting for me because it’s my one event at home. I always try to dial in my performance - it’s a special place," said Rhoads. 
 
Saturday's U.S. Championships kicked off the World Championship season, with a host of athletes vying for spots to compete in Lahti, Finland this February. Rhoads made his Words debut two years ago in Sweden. "I’m more excited this time as it will be my second appearance and we’ll have a stronger showing from four or five guys."
 
Nordic combined skiers Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO), Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI), Ben Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) took spots six through nine.
 
The normal hill U.S. title will be determined this October in Lake Placid, NY

 

RESULTS
2017 L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships - HS134meter
Park City, UT
Official Results 
 

Jessica Returns to Gold

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
July, 30 2016

PARK CITY, UT (July 30, 2017) - Veteran Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) returned from a one-year hiaitus to take her 13th career national title on the HS134 meter hill at the Utah Olympic Park in the L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships. On a day where Canadian jumpers dominated the overall competition, Cara Larson (Barrington, IL) of the Norge Ski Club took silver with Logan Sankey (Steamboat Springs, CO) of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club bronze.

Canadian Taylor Fendrich won the overall competition, leading a strong contingent of Altius Nordic Ski Club jumpers. Only Americans were eligible for U.S. Championship medals.

In the opening round, Jerome had the longest ride at 120.5 meters, but lost style points on her landing with Henrich taking the overall lead. Jerome came back with the longest second round jump at 122.5 meters, but Henrich remained strong at 121.5 meters to take the overall win, with Jerome picking up the U.S. Championship gold.
 
“My first round jump was OK but the landing was terrible,” said Jerome. “On the second jump, everything was better from flying to landing. It felt great to get back into competition mode.”
 
With top U.S. jumpers including Nita England, Nina Lussi and Tara Geraghty-Moats training in Europe, and World Champion Sarah Hendrickson still coming back from injury, the event provided a platform for U.S. juniors to shine.
 
Larson, whose older brother also medaled in the men's copmetition, put together jumps of 100.5 and 101.5 meters to earn her first silver. Sankey, competing in only her second U.S. Championship, earned her first medal with a bronze.
 
“I was definitely really honored to be competing today,” said Sankey. “I’m happy with my second round jump and my overall performance this weekend. I love ski jumping and I love ski jumping in front of a crowd. I’m incredibly excited about my first us championships medal.”
 


Cara Larson soared to silver in the L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships. (USSA-Tom Kelly)

 


Bronze for Logan Sankey in the L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships

Jerome, one of the strong pioneers of the Women's Ski Jumping USA. program, took a complete break from ski jumping last season, just recently getting back into the gym and onto the jump - a break designed to refresh her for another Olympic bid leading up to the 2018 Games in PyeongChang. 

“I needed to take a break, but I still wanted to take a shot at one more Olympics,” she said. So she stepped away from the sport for a year, putting her head into the books under the U.S. Ski Team’s partnership with Westminster College i Salt Lake City.

“It feel great to be back - I’ve been healthy. I’ve had a lot of new feelings, which was the goal. Going off these jumps constantly you can get numb. It’s been a good experience so far.”

 

The normal hill U.S. Championships are set for October in Lake Placid, NY.

RESULTS
L.L.Bean U.S. Ski Jumping Championships - HS134 meter - Park City, UT
 

No Results Found

Canada Strong in Springer Tournee

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
July, 29 2016
PARK CITY, UT (July 29, 2016) - Canadian ski jumpers paved the way on the HS100 meter hill Friday during the annual Springer Tourney competition on the Olympics jumps in Park City. The Norge Ski Club’s Kevin Bickner (Park City, UT) and Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) took second in men’s and women’s respectively, while Canada’s Altius Nordic Ski Jump jumpers Maken Boyd-Clowes won the men’s while Taylor Henrich took the women’s victory.
 
The annual Springer Tournee, organized by USA Nordic Sports, Women’s Ski Jumping U.S.A., the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and Utah Olympic Park, featured most of the top ski jumpers from America and Canada. The competition continues on the HS134 large hill Saturday with the U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships.
 
Boyd-Closes took the first round lead for the men with a 97.5 meter jump. The USA men came storming back in the second round with Bickner nailing long ride of the day at 103.5 meters and Will Rhoads (Park City, UT) soaring 100.5 meters to finish third.
 
It was a big day for the Norge Ski Club in Cary, IL with Bickner second, Casey Larson (Barrington, IL) fourth and Mike Glasder (Cary, IL) fifth.
 
Heinrich took a slim first round lead over Jerome as both soared 92.5 meters. The Canadian had long ride of the day for the women at 98.0 meters in the second round to seal the win.
 
“Today went pretty well,” said Bickner. “The first jump wasn’t as good as I’d like, but I really made up for it on the second. I’m satisfied.
 
“For me, this comp is a nice stop back home. Saturday will be a lot bigger because it’s nationals — it has that title and means a lot. I haven’t won that yet, so hopefully I can repeat tomorrow.”
 
Action is scheduled to get underway at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the Utah Olympic Park.
 
 
RESULTS
Springer Tournee HS100
Park City, UT
 
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