Hinzenbach, Austria — Sarah Hendrickson is just 116 points ahead of veteran and reigning World Champion Daniela Iraschko, Austria, in the race for the overall women’s ski jumping World Cup title. And with six competitions left in the season, the teenager from Park City, Utah, doesn’t plan on letting up.
“I’m aiming for the overall World Cup title and that is still very possible if I can keep jumping at this level,” said Hendrickson on Sunday after placing second behind Iraschko twice this weekend in Hinzenbach, Austria. “Daniela had awesome jumps and she is giving me a run for my money. I have to stay strong.”
Hendrickson has won four out of seven World Cup (WC) competitions this season, giving a boost to the Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team, which is sitting soundly in first place overall by 305 points over second-place Germany. Ski jumping pioneers Lindsey Van and Jessica Jerome are 3rd and 10th overall, and teammates Abby Hughes and Alissa Johnson are in the top 30.
“I’m not as satisfied with my jumping technically this weekend, so I’m going to work on that going into the next competition,” Hendrickson said. “But we’re having more fun than ever jumping, and of course the good results are helping with that.”
Hendrickson nabbed two 2nd places in Hinzenbach this weekend. Van was 3rd on Sunday, climbing back from the 7th-place that she posted on Saturday. Hughes had a break-out weekend on the WC with 12th and 16th-place finishes; and Jerome improved from Saturday to place 13th on Sunday. (See full results below.)
The wind played a factor in the Hinzenbach competitions. The second round of Saturday’s competition was canceled due to strong winds with just three jumpers remaining — which meant first-round results counted as the official results of the day.
“The wind played a bit of a role in the competitions this weekend, but today (Sunday) was very fair. The competition was really tight to be in the top 10,” said Paolo Bernardi, Visa Team international coach. “Today the top three athletes were definitely the strongest.”
Van said she had better jumps on Sunday — her best of the year so far
“I’m super excited. I’m as healthy as I’ve been in a long time — overall I have no complaints,” said Van, who had ankle surgery in October and battled mono earlier this winter. “It’s really exciting to be part of this team right now as we’re in first overall. We have high energy and everyone is so excited and supportive. We’re definitely enjoying this.”
The World Cup continues Feb. 11 and 12 in Ljubno, Slovenia, and March 3-4 in Zao, Japan, where there will be three comps (one comp was added to make up for an earlier cancellation in Poland). The World Cup final is set for March 9 in Oslo, Norway.
Also, Junior World Championships will take place Feb. 23 in Erzurum, Turkey. Sarah Hendrickson, Nina Lussi and Nita Englund will represent the U.S.
World Cup
Hinzenbach, Austria
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
Women’s Normal Hill, HS94, K-point 85m
(with wind system calculation)
1. Daniela Iraschko, AUT, (85.5, 91.5) 238.4
2. Sarah Hendrickson, USA, (86.0, 90.5) 233.2
3. Lindsey Van, USA, (90.5, 87.0) 230.4
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13. Jessica Jerome, USA (84.5, 84.0) 214.0
16. Abby Hughes, USA (83.0, 83.5) 208.0
28. Alissa Johnson, USA, (79.0, 81.5) 194.1
48. Nina Lussi, USA (69.5) 73.4
World Cup
Hinzenbach, Austria
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Women’s Normal Hill, HS94, K-point 85m
(with wind system calculation)
Second round cancelled due to wind
1. Daniela Iraschko, AUT, (96.0) 123.3
2. Sarah Hendrickson, USA, (91.5) 122.6
3. Katja Pozun, SLO, (90.5) 114.4
—
7. Lindsey Van, USA, (84.5) 106.1
12. Abby Hughes, USA (84.5) 103.7
24. Alissa Johnson, USA, (82.5) 96.0
25. Jessica Jerome, USA (80.0) 95.3
44. Nina Lussi, USA (71.0) 74.5
Source: WSJUSA
