U.S. Ski Team News - Jumping-Nordic

U.S. Ski Team Shares Quality Time with PCA

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Nov. 11) – Members of the U.S. Ski Team took advantage of an invitation to visit the Park City Academy to share their sport as well as personal stories and feelings about the upcoming Olympic Games. The students were thrilled to have the chance to interact directly with world-class athletes and learn a couple secret tricks of the trade.

In attendance were athletes Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Nick Hendrickson (Park City, UT) who chatted with the 120 students present for the demonstration. It was a unique chance to interact with the athletes and learn about the sports of ski jumping, nordic combined, and cross country skiing.

"The athletes in our nordic programs are committed to sharing their passion for their sports. This school visit was a great chance to get this group of students fired up about the U.S. Ski Team and the coming Olympic Winter Games," said U.S. Nordic Program Director John Farra. "Nick and Taylor represent the future of our nordic combined program and are great role models for setting goals, working hard and committing to being best in the world."

Fletcher and Hendrickson took the opportunity to show the students a couple training techniques that they use to prepare themselves for competition. Vertical "hops" as well as standing long jumps are common practices for nordic athletes in order to prepare their bodies for the rigors of competition.

Fletcher also used the visit to show students proper ski launch technique, which consisted of Hendrickson catching him in mid-air becoming one of the few "do not try this at home" practices that the athletes performed.

Hendrickson also showed the students how winter athletes spend their summer days preparing for the snow. He took out a pair of cross country ski boots and roller skis and proceeded to "ski" around the gym. Along with displaying the summer gear the athletes exhibited their winter equipment showing the difference between the enormous ski jumping skis and the lightweight cross country skis.

After the demonstrations the students engaged the athletes in a question and answer session. To the amusement of the students, Farra, Fletcher, and Hendrickson also used the visit to entertain their hosts by telling personal stories.

Hendrickson told a story about how he started ski jumping at around six years old. He had a good grasp of jumping but was so young that he was unable to hold the handle on the Poma lift to get him back up to the top of the run. In one particular case he remembers grabbing the handle and falling onto his face, but his refusal to let go resulted in him getting dragged to the top on his stomach rather than his skis.

Fletcher talked about the tenacity it takes to perform at the highest levels. He talked about a roller ski race in downtown Steamboat Springs, CO with over 4,000 people watching when his roller ski came off his boot causing him to land hard onto the street. He escaped with no lasting injuries and got bandaged up for the ski jumping competition that afternoon. Farra followed with a humorous story about being chased by a moose in Fairbanks, AK.

After the event the athletes signed posters for the students to put in their class rooms and they also were available for photos.

Overall the event was a positive learning experience for the athletes as well as the students.

Champion Q&A: Billy Demong

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

World Championship gold medalist Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) has undoubtedly left his mark on the world of nordic combined skiing. But, on the brink of an Olympic season, he is looking to make an even bigger splash.

Any fun summer adventures?
My fun getaway is bike racing and I definitely did a few of those, not as many as I did last year but if I focus my training in other directions for periods I think mentally and physically it kind of helps me reset a little bit and it's definitely good training.

What does Billy Demong do when he isn't training or competing?
Not much. Put my feet up with friends.

What sort of role do your friends play in what you do?
I think my most important friends are the ones that could care less if I ski, don't ski, know me for who I am and help me keep it real. I can totally kind of escape a little bit from the ski world for a day or two, especially the friends I grew up with. One of my friends from childhood is currently living with me in Park City.

You also got a chance to spend some time with old friends in Lake Placid when you were there for U.S. Champs, right?
There were a few things going on back there, catching up with friends and family and also some things with the local ski clubs. It's always good to get home especially during the Flaming Leaves Festival, the most beautiful time to be on the east.

Unfortunately, you didn't get to participate due to a shoulder injury from training. How was it being in your hometown, yet unable to compete?
That was hard. Of course I wanted to be out there competing with my teammates, but it was still great to be back in Lake Placid and with my friends and family. Everyone was super supportive and not competing was the best decision for me so that I could return to training faster to get ready for the Games.

We saw you just joined Twitter! How are you liking it?
I like it, it seems to be a little more efficient way of checking in on the people you want to check in on and also you can post what you want. People can choose whether or not they find it interesting. I've actually been going back and forth with Steve [Fisher, of U.S. Snowboarding].

Reading on the road, do you do it?
I do like to read, I used to be better at it, I feel horrible about it now. Usually, I get into one thing and focus on it for a while, I'll read like a whole series of books by the same author and subject. I think Johnny [Spillane; Steamboat Springs, CO] and I have gone back and forth over the years with different book series and authors.

So you are sort of in a book club?
We have in the past. Johnny definitely takes the cake- he reads more than I do. We have exchanged books quite often. At one point we were on a Vonnegut kick for a while, we read about all there is to read from Slaughter House 5 to Edward Abbey.

Well, we should probably let you get back to training, training and training. Any last thoughts to leave us with?
This year is special. We are going to the Olympics! I'm definitely excited and I think the years of experience now will hopefully equate to a good build up period and getting ready for those games. I think especially being in Vancouver - it's sort of an opportunity for us to compete close to home and have a lot friends and family come up and watch so I'm definitely excited.

Bryan Fletcher to Walk for Hope

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT – (Oct. 13) U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team athlete Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) will be doing his part to help others, participating in the Walk for Hope on Oct. 17 in Park City, UT. Fletcher teamed up with Candlelighters, an organization that helps families and children with cancer, to put on the event, which will hopefully raise $30, 000.

"Our goal is trying to raise $30,000 for the program," says Fletcher."This is a small organization, they only go up to kids that are 18 years old, so the focus is the kids $30,000 is an average goal for them, but it will help out tremendously."

Fletcher has a personal connection to children with cancer. At 3 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. After chemotherapy treatment for a year, the cancer went into remission. With the remembrance of his own story, Fletcher is committed to help using his Olympic dream as a guide.

"I think it's easier for a person who has or is trying to reach a goal or make the Olympics. For me, I kind of have a good pedestal to start working with kids here, just trying to build up to the Olympics because I can use it in my coverage leading up to the Olympics," states Fletcher. "I am going to get a little bit of free press out of it to try and promote these events."

For Fletcher, the most important thing is being able to raise money to assist the families who need help.

"Some of the money goes to research, but a lot of the money actually goes to families and into programs that help families. The kids can go to camps for cancer where they can socialize with other kids their age who have cancer, explains Fletcher. "That allows them to have some fun and they're not stuck in the hospital all the time. It's a good program."

Fletcher is in Lake Placid, NY for a training camp to prepare for the upcoming winter season and Olympics. Fletcher will be leaving the camp earlier in order to participate in the Walk of Hope. Following the walk, Fletcher will be pressing forward in hopes of making the Olympic Team.

"My main goal for the season is just to make the Olympics," explains Fletcher. "It has been a goal of mine since I was a kid, so obviously that’s the big goal. Anything else I can accomplish in the season is considered, to me, a bonus."

The Walk of Hope is Saturday, October 17 at Utah's Liberty Park. The race portion begins at 8 A.M., following with the walk at 10 A.M. For more information, go to www.childhoodcancer.org.

Lodwick Wins 20th Title in Placid

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, NY (Oct. 10) - World Champion Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) made it an even 20 titles as he won the U.S. Nordic Combined Championships Saturday during Lake Placid's annual Flaming Leaves Festival.

Todd Lodwick charges up a hill towards his 20th U.S. title (Michael Lynch/Adirondack Daily Enterprise)

For Lodwick, who had previously said having 20 U.S. titles would be great, the win on Saturday meant more than he thought it would.

"This ranks up there with one of the more memorable national titles. I think I'm almost twice the age I was when I won my first title. It's nice to be in shape, it's nice to know that I can still compete at a top level," Lodwick said. "With the competition and with the juniors and the Team itself, this is not the easiest National Championships to win."

Lodwick was followed on the podium by Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) in second and Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) in third.

Reflecting on a hard comeback year, which followed two years of retirement for Lodwick, the U.S. Ski Team athlete said given the competition in the day's field, he's happy to be on top.

"I've had some setbacks this year, but battled through them and tried to keep my motivation high," Lodwick said. "Today was one of the hardest days of jumping that you could possibly see, but I am happy to have done it."

For Camerota, the podium finish was particularly exciting as it was his best U.S. Championships finish to date and put him head-to-head with a World Champion.

"This is our last competition before winter and to be second behind Todd is always a confidence booster going in to the winter," Camerota said. "I had Todd 38 seconds behind me at the start of the race. I knew at some point he would catch me, but I was just hoping to ski with him and pace off him as long as I could. He stayed about 30 seconds in front of me the whole race."

With some tricky weather conditions that included rain, second-place finisher Camerota said bring able to overcome rainy streets and a tail wind were key in his finish.

"I've been jumping pretty well here. There's always a tail wind over the knoll of the jump, which is bad for jumping, but there was a head wind at the bottom. I stayed with it and ended up having the second longest jump," Camerota said. "Doing eight laps of the roller ski course is like doing eight intervals with the ups and downs but with no rest. I'm glad it stopped raining for the downhill."

Notably missing from the day's competition was hometown hero and World Champion Billy Demong (Vermontvile, NY) who chose not to compete after a roller ski injury a week ago. But, according to U.S. Nordic Combined Head Coach Dave Jarrett, the championships were an opportunity for younger athletes to step up.

"It was a good day for everyone, it shows our depth with new guys stepping up with the injuries to Billy, Johnny, and Eric. I am psyched for everyone and wish the three injured guys a speedy recovery," Jarrett said.

The festivities at the Flaming Leaves Festival continue Saturday night for an awards party and Olympic season send off. Sunday the Flaming Leaves Festival will host a SuperTour event.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 U.S. NORDIC COMBINED CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lake Placid, NY - Oct. 10, 2009

1. Todd Lodwick, Steamboat Springs, CO (2/1) 24:53.5
2. Brett Camerota, Park City, UT (1/5) +47.2
3. Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO (3/6) +2:19.9
4. Sturla Sandoy, Norway (9/4) +3:14.2
5. Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO (11/3) +3:15.1
6. Alex Glueck, Steamboat Springs, CO (4/8) +3:25.5
7. Nick Hendrickson, Park City, UT (12/2) +3:28.1
8. Alex Miller, Steamboat Springs, CO (8/7) +3:45.2
9. Carl Van Loan, Webster, NH (6/9) +4:26.5
10. Willy Graves, Putney, VT (10/11) +4:59.7
# # #

Alexander, Jerome Win Jump Titles

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, NY (Oct. 10) - Nick Alexander (Andover, NH) and Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) kicked off the 2010 U.S. Ski Jumping Championships as Alexander took his first and Jerome won her seventh U.S. jumping title Saturday in Lake Placid, NY. The Championships took place as part of Lake Placid's Flaming Leaves Festival."

Nick Alexander celebrated his first U.S. title. (Peter Graves)

"I'm excited about today," Jerome said. "This past week I have had good jumps and I have been able to improve on a couple key things, so I am glad I could pull it together."

In the women's competition Jerome led with 230.0 points, followed by Continental Cup winner Sara Hendrickson (Park City, UT) in second with 205.5 and Abby Hughes (Park City, UT) in third with 203.5. 2009 U.S. Champion and jumping World Champion Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) finished just off the podium in fourth.

After a summer laying low and not competing internationally, Jerome said the win at U.S. Champs is a good way to get the season started.

"I haven't competed at all this summer, except for a couple of club competitions. I didn't compete internationally at all, so it's good to get back into competition mode going into the winter," Jerome said. "I knew kind of where I was at, but I didn't have anything to compare it to, except for my jumps all summer."

Jerome said that the win also comes after spending a lot of time working on the mental aspect of her jumping.

"I tend to be a little too mental going into competitions. Obviously you want to train like you compete and compete like you train," Jerome said. "That has always been one of my main things to try and improve on, on and off the hill. So this gives me confidence and it's nice to get this competition out of the way."

For Hendrickson, even though she's already won a Continental Cup this summer, U.S. Champs gets her amped for the upcoming season.

"It's back to competeition mode. It's nice to have good jumps and appear on the results. I'm looking forward to the season and hopefully I'll have good jumps in those competitions, too. From here I go to Finland and Norway. I'm excitied for those competitions," Hendrickson said.

Hughes is excited, saying that her podium proves she can perform when it matters most.

"I placed third and I'm psyched. I jumped better today than I did the rest of the summer, so I was able to perform when I needed to," Hughes said.

In the men's competition, Alexander was pumped not only for his first U.S. title, but for his first win in quite some time.

"It's also my first win in about a year and a half, so it felt pretty solid to pull it off. I knew I could do it. I just needed to stay confident," Alexander said.

Alexander led the way with 251 points, followed by Chris Lamb in second with 238 points and John Lyons in third with 220.5 points.

For Alexander, the day's jumps started out a little rough, but some confidence in the second round helped him pull out the win.

"The first jump was one of my weaker attempts. I lost my confidence and had a bad jump," Alexander said. "But I got up for the second jump and pulled one out. It was one of my better jumps, so it was good to see."

Now, with the U.S. Jumping Championships out of the way U.S. athletes are gearing up for the winter season ahead.

"I am psyched for the season. I'm looking forward to the winter. It should be good. I just need to stay confident and work on some little things to make my jumping more consistent," Alexander said.

The nordic action at Lake Placid's Flaming Leaves Festival continues Sunday with a SuperTour jumping competition.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 U.S. SKI JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lake Placid, NY - Oct. 10, 2009

Men
1. Nick Alexander, Andover, NH, 251.0
2. Chris Lamb, Andover, NH, 238.0
3. John Lyons, St. Paul, MN, 220.5
4. Mike Glasder, Cary, IL, 207.5
5. Nick Fairall, Andover, NH, 205.0
6. Pete Frenette, Saranac Lake, NY, 201.0
7. Todd Lodwick, Steamboat Springs, CO, 198.0
8. Alex Miller, Steamboat Springs, CO, 195.5
9. Andrew Bliss, Lake Placid, NY, 194.5
10. Brett Camerota, Park City, UT, 191.0

Women
1. Jessica Jerome, Park City, UT, 230.0
2. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 205.5
3. Abby Hughes, Park City, UT, 203.5
4. Lindsay Van, Park City, UT, 191.0
5. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT, 188.5
# # #

Placid Ready for U.S. Champs Saturday

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, NY (Oct. 9) - Athletes went through final training Friday in advance of Saturday's U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships as a part of Lake Placid's Flaming Leaves Festival. World Champions Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) will be among the favorites. Nordic combined star Lodwick is after his 20th U.S. title, while ski jumper Van is shooting for 14.

Weather has been cool in Lake Placid with colorful fall foliage. Athletes took final training jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex Friday, the same site used for Lake Placid's 1980 Olympic Winter Games. The nordic combined skiers hopped on roller skis for a final training workout Friday afternoon.

Van scored a comeback win a year ago in Lake Placid, kicking off what would be a World Championship title year for the Utah native. Lodwick, meanwhile, is shooting for his 20th title a year after staging a sensational comeback. The Steamboat Springs native came back after two years in retirement to take bronze at the U.S. Championships in 2009. He went on to win back-to-back World Championship titles in February.

Injuries will keep a number of top contenders out of Saturday's championships. Defending jumping champion, Olympian Anders Johnson (Park City, UT) is coming back from a knee injury and hoping to be competing this season. Defending nordic combined champ Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO), is expected back in a few weeks after a knee injury. And World Champion and hometown hero Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY), is planning to sit out Saturday's competition nursing a sore shoulder from a roller skiing accident last week.

"I crashed last week. I know it's not a severe injury. I was hoping I'd be better by this weekend, but I made the call this morning to sit out this weekend so that in a week to 10 days I'll be able to get back to normal training."

Demong made the decision to take the weekend off to help him get back to training sooner. "I feel bad that I'm not able to compete at home," he said. "This is one of the few chances I have to compete on home hills in front of friends and family.

"I always really look forward to coming home in the fall for the Flaming Leaves Festival. Lake Placid built up a big tradition in this competition and did a really good job of attracting spectators. Pairing the competition up with U.S. Championships has made it a bigger festival. I'm disappointed to miss out on it."

"It's unfortunate that the top guns are absent from this competition," said Lodwick. "I feel for Billy knowing that this is his home town and that he would like to compete."

"This opens the door for some younger guys who maybe wouldn't have had the chance to get on the podium to now have a shot," said Nordic Combined Coach Chris Gilbertson. "Billy always wants to compete - all the time - even when he's sick. But the bigger picture came out today of what's to come in February. It didn't make sense to jeopardize his recovery when the main goal is four months away."

With Johnson out of the ski jumping competition, eyes are on Nick Fairall (Andover, NH) and Nick Alexander (Lebanon, NH). Van, meanwhile, will face tough competition from teammates Sarah Hendrickson and Jessica Jerome (both Park City), among others.

Action gets underway at the U.S. Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping Championships with first round jumping at 11:00 a.m. ET and second round at noon. The 10K nordic combined roller ski starts at 2:15 p.m.

Saturday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m., top Olympic contenders from nordic combined, ski jumping, cross country plus biathlon and the slidingn sports of bobsled, luge and skeleton will gather for a community sendoff. The athletes are all training in Lake Placid in final preparation for the 2010 Olympic season.

A SuperTour jumping competition is also scheduled Sunday, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

To follow the news, stay tuned to usskiteam.com, facebook.com/usskiteam and twitter.com/usskiteam.

Lodwick Looks for 20th Title in Placid

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, NY (Oct. 8) - Having 19 U.S. Championship titles is a lot of success to have amassed as a competitor. But for World Champion Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO), an even 20 sounds a lot nicer. Thankfully, Lodwick will have his shot at his 20th as the 2010 U.S. Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships hits Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY, this Saturday.

"Yeah of course it would nice to even it out and make it 20," Lodwick said. "But, I'll be happy to compete well and do well. The Games are the biggest priority, but it's always nice to compete in a U.S. Championships especially in Lake Placid."

The event takes place as a part of the annual Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid and will feature athletes competing for jumping and nordic combined titles against the backdrop of the area's famous Fall Foliage.

"It's nice to be in Lake Placid will all the colors," Lodwick said.

According to the World Champion, having all the nordic athletes in Lake Placid will be sure to add a little electricity to what organizers in Lake Placid plan to bill as an Olympic send off event for nordic combined, jumping and cross country athletes as they are all Vancouver Bound.

"It's good to get the jumpers and all the nordic skiers together in one place and have a competition and try to get the blood going," Lodwick said. "I think it's a good thing to do because if it gets that blood flowing it let's everybody know there are 130 days until the Games. It kind of kicks off the season a little bit, but I think it's just a reminder that Olympics are the number one priority and it kind of kicks people into over drive if they are not already going, it gets them going again."

But, more than the burning colors and competition, Lodwick is looking forward to competing in a community that has fostered nordic sports throughout their history.

"Ski jumping and nordic combined have always had a place in Lake Placid so it's nice to showcase a competition like this there," Lodwick said. "It's good everybody to get there to show that Lake Placid is still a top notch facility to train and compete at.

The first round of ski jumping on Saturday, Oct. 10 begins at 11 a.m. ET, with the second round starting at noon. The 10K rollerski race starts at 2:15 p.m.

Then, starting at 6:30 p.m. in mid-town park, the nordic, jumping and cross country athletes will be joined by athletes in the sliding sports to award the Championship winners and celebrate the start of the Olympic season.

To follow the news as Lodwick hunts for his 20th title, stay tuned to usskiteam.com, facebook.com/usskiteam and twitter.com/usskiteam

"I'm looking forward to it, can't wait to get out there."

Nordic Athletes Look for Success in Placid

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Sept. 22) - In just two weeks jumping and nordic combined athletes from across the map will descend on Lake Placid, NY in the pursuit of becoming the nation's best in their respective sports. The U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships will kick off Oct. 10 during Lake Placid's annual Flaming Leaves Festival.

"It's my hometown and it's a beautiful time of year to be in Lake Placid. The Flaming Leaves Festival marks a time of year where winter is just around the corner. There are crisp mornings and the colors of the leaves are incredible," Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) said.

For the second season in a row the Championships will be held on plastic jumps and the cross country portion of the event will be done on rollerskis.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. ET with the men's and women's ski jumping championships and follows up at 2:15 p.m. with a 10K rollerski race to determine the nordic combined champion.

"I think having pre-season Championships is a lot more productive in a lot of ways especially in terms of the fact that it is the first real competition of the year and everybody is really fired up," Demong said.

In addition to the Lake Placid native, Demong will be joined by fellow World Champions Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane (both Steamboat Springs, CO), and Lindsey Van (Park City, UT), as well as ski jumper. Both Van and Spillane were crowned U.S. Champions in their respective sports last season.

Lodwick, who has won 19 national titles in his career, is excited not only to up the count in his trophy case, but to be back East in the fall.

"In Lake Placid, it is always nice to see the colors, especially in the fall," Lodwick said. "The opportunity to race at U.S. Championships in Lake Placid for the second year in a row will give me the opportunity to start the season with a bang. I would love to make the number of national titles an even 20."

To see how Lodwick, Demong, Van and the rest of the U.S. nordic athletes do, stay tuned to usskiteam.com on Oct. 10. You can also follow the news at facebook.com/usskiteam or twitter.com/usskiteam.

2010 U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships Schedule:
Oct. 10 (all times ET)
11:00 a.m. - Ski jumping first round
12:00 a.m. - Ski jumping second round
2:15 p.m. - Nordic combined 10K rollerski race

Nordic Champs Set For Placid

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, New York (Sept. 15) - For the second straight season, the best nordic combined and jumping athletes will compete on plastic jumps and roller skis as they attempt to make their mark as America's finest. The U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships hit Lake Placid during the town's annual Flaming Leaves Festival Oct. 10 and it will be only the second time the event is held off snow.

"This has proven to be an ideal time of year to hold U.S. Championships for our nordic combined and ski jumping athletes as it offers a perfect tune-up for the upcoming World Cup and Continental Cup seasons," U.S. Nordic Program Director John Farra said. "Lake Placid did a superb job in the first non-winter U.S. Championships we held last October, and we look forward to continued success with the event this year."

The championships, which are expected to attract more than 50 of the nation's best nordic athletes, will feature a K90 jumping event for men and women. Nordic combined athletes will also jump the K90 as well as compete in a 10K ski race on roller skis.

"We are pleased to host this prestigious event and look forward to an exciting competition. We know these young men and women will be performing at their highest level and our staff at the Intervale Jumping Complex will provide them with the best possible venue to succeed,” said Jim Goff, ORDA Director of Events. "In conjunction, we also will host a public celebration and send-off for the more than 200 athletes from the many different sports who are training and competing in Lake Placid as they endeavor to make the 2010 U.S. Olympic team."

According to Farra, the event will be an opportunity to showcase the season's already successful jumping athletes, along with three World Champion athletes.

"It will be exciting to see if jumpers Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) and Nicolas Alexander (Park City, UT) can keep up their impressive jumping that we have seen from them in the Continental Cups and Grand Prix summer events," Farra said. "Much attention will also turn to the three World Champions, home grown Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY), Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) to see if they can keep the advantage over all the men fighting for Olympic spots just months away."

Demong, who won World Championship gold in 2009, is excited to be back in Placid to compete, as well as spend some time with the cross country athletes.

"I'm really excited to go back to Placid again to compete. It is sort of the first real competition of the year and everybody is really fired up. There is sort of a team itch that everybody wants to get started. We're looking forward to winter also, but it's a beautiful time of year to be in Lake Placid," Demong said. "Having the cross country team in town, as well as the entire nordic combined ski jumping nation, is a really productive camp with a lot of crossover."

Last season's victories went to Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) in nordic combined, and Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) and Anders Johnson (Park City, UT) in ski jumping. This year, a new crop of athletes will be looking to put their name in the top spot during the event, which coincides with the Columbus Day weekend in October.

Lodwick Wins SuperSprint in Norway

Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Sept. 5) - U.S. Nordic Combined Team athlete Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) carried on the tradition of winning he started last year right into the 2010 Olympic season as he won his 2nd consecutive Lillehammer SuperSprint title in downtown Lillehammer on Saturday.

Lodwick led the U.S. team in qualifications, finishing second, followed by Nick Hendrickson (Park City, UT) in sixth, Billy Demong 14th, and Bryan Fletcher 16th.

Lodwick finishes strong at the SuperSprint in Norway. (USSA)

The race was in a head to head format with only Lodwick and Hendrickson making it past the round of eight. Hendrickson was matched against nordic powerhouse Magnus Moan but was able to beat him in photo finish to advance to the quarter finals. And, finally, after four head to head sprints, number two seeded Lodwick out-sprinted number one seed Jonas Nermoen for the victory in front of about 1500 Norwegian fans.

The excitement continues Sunday when the men compete again in Norway.

For complete results click here.

Hendrickson Nabs 2nd in Norway

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Aug. 22) - U.S. ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) made it two podiums in a row as she bested her third on Friday for a second-place finish in Saturday's Continental Cup competition in Norway.

"I think just competing for the last two weeks has really put me in the 'mode' to jump well in the competitions," Hendrickson said."I have been training hard for a while and I have been concentrating on having good jumps one after another, and it has paid off."

For the 15-year-old's third career podium, Hendrickson finished 19 points behind Norway's own Lind Jahr, who jumped for 260 points. Yuuki Itoh of Japan was third with 240.5.

World Champion Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) was next up for the Americans, jumping for 232.5 points on the 100 meter hill to finish fifth.

The women's Continental Cup now breaks for competition until Dec. 5 when athletes take to the jumps of Vikersund, Norway.

Regardless of the break, though, Hendrickson has the winning formula to staying consistent: "Just training hard and when I do get to the next competition remembering the jumps that I had and try to do the same," Hendrickson said.

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS100-meter
Lillehammer, Norway
Aug. 22, 2009

1. Line Jahr, Norway, 260.0
2. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 241.0
3. Yuuki Itoh, Japan, 240.5
4. Ulrike Graessler, Germany, 240.0
5. Lindsey Van, Park City, UT, 232.5
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15. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT, 208.0
# # #

Hendrickson Lands First Podium Of Season

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Aug. 21) - U.S. ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) continued to heat things up for the Americans Friday as she nabbed her first podium of the season, finishing third during a Continental Cup in Lillehammer.

The podium marked the second of her career for Hendrickson who won a Continental Cup in Zakopane, Poland, last season.

"It is rewarding to have good jumps and have it pay off in a good result," Hendrickson said. "When I won in Zakopane I had good jumps, but this competition was more fair, so it feels more real"

World Champion Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) followed Hendrickson for the U.S. as she made her first jumping appearance on the Continental Cup on Friday, finishing 10th just ahead of fellow American Alissa Johnson in 11th.

Hendrickson finished behind winner Ulrike Graessler of Germany, who jumped for a total of 248 points, and Norwegian Line Jahr, who was second with 234 points.

The ski jumping in Lillehammer continues Saturday with another Continental Cup before breaking competition until Dec. 5 in Vikersund, Norway.

As for Hendrickson, she hopes to be able to lead the women on Saturday the same way she did Friday.

"I will just relax and try to do the same thing as usual," Hendrickson said.

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS100-meter
Lillehammer, Norway
Aug. 21, 2009

1. Ulrike Graessler, Germany, 248.0
2. Line Jahr, Norway, 234.0
3. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 228.5
4. Yuuki Itoh, Japan, 227.5
5. Bigna Windmueller, Switzerland, 226.5
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10. Lindsey Van, Park City, UT, 210.0
11. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT, 208.0
# # #

Hendrickson Stays On Top Of U.S. Field

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

OBERWIESENTHAL, Germany (Aug. 15) - Keeping things consistent, U.S. ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) continued to trailblaze for her fellow American women as she finished 12th in the second of two Continental Cup competitions in Oberwiesenthal on Saturday. Germany's Ulrike Graessler who was second on Friday, won the event.

Graessler led the field by nearly 17 points followed by Japan's Ayumi Watase in second with a score of 201.5. Norway's Line Jahr was third at 197.5 points.

Continental Cup ski jumping now departs Germany for the 1998 Olympic town of Lillehammer, Norway, for a competition Aug. 21.

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS60-meter
Oberwiesenthal, Germany
Aug. 15, 2009

1. Ulrike Graessler, Austria, 218.0
2. Ayumi Watase, Japan, 201.5
3. Line Jahr, Norway, 197.5
4. Juliane Seyfarth, Germany, 196.5
5. Yuuki Itoh, Japan, 184.5
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12. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 167.5
27. Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 135.5
35. Nina Lussi, Lake Placid, NY, 64.0
48. Karin Friberg, Rosesville, MN, 28.5
# # #

Hendrickson Leads U.S. Again

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

OBERWIESENTHAL, Germany (Aug. 14) Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) led the way for U.S. women for two straight competitions as she finished sixth Friday in Oberwiesenthal, and 12th in Poehla during the German leg of the women's Continental Cup ski jumping tour.

Anette Sagen of Norway won Friday's event with 94.5 and 98 point jumps for a 1.5 point lead over second-place finisher Ulrike Graessler of Germany. Melanie Faisst, also of Germany, was third.

Germans Magdalena Schnurr and Melanie Faisst finished first and second, respectively, in Wednesday's event followed by Japan's Ayumi Watase in third.

Continental Cup ski jumping continues Saturday in Oberwiesenthal before the tour moves on to Lillehammer, Norway, Aug. 21.

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS60-meter
Oberwiesenthal, Germany
Aug. 14, 2009

1. Anette Sagen, Norway, 231.5
2. Ulrike Graessler, Austria, 230.0
3. Melanie Faisst, Germany, 201.5
4. Helena Olsson Smeby, Norway, 188.5
5. Lisa Demetz, Italy, 187.0
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6. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 185.0
30. Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 108.0
35. Nina Lussi, Lake Placid, NY, 58.0
38. Karin Friberg, Rosesville, MN, 56.5

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS60-meter
Poehla, Germany
Aug. 12, 2009

1. Magdalena Schnurr, Germany, 237.6
2. Melanie Faisst, Germany, 227.1
3. Ayumi Watase, Japan, 229.9
4. Ulrike Graessler, Germany, 230.5
5. Bigna Windmueller, Switzerland, 218.5
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12. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 207.9
30. Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 174.8
31. Nina Lussi, Lake Placid, NY, 89.8
40. Karin Friberg, Rosesville, MN, 85.1
# # #

Champion Q&A: Todd Lodwick

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

Todd Lodwick's (Steamboat Springs, CO) story is almost an unbelievable one. An athlete for the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team, Lodwick's career spans over a decade in which he wins a World Cup and then retires. But, that's not the part that's hard to accept. What is unbelievable is that, with a wife, two children, and two years into his retirement, Lodwick decides he has unfinished business with the sport and is determined not only to return, but to win World Championship and Olympic medals in the process. Two World Championship medals later, Lodwick is a mere six months from the 2010 Games in Vancouver, and he's more focused than ever.

After you won your World Championship gold medals, you couldn't stop repeating how much you felt like Cinderella. Is it all still surreal?
Those things are hard not to forget and it's hard not to forget the road that it took to get there. I see the medals every day and they're accomplishments I knew I was always capable of doing, it was just a matter of the right place and the right time. Everything came together and that was my week.

What is it that draws a grown man two years into his retirement back into the competition ring?
The medals. The hardware. Those were the biggest things that were missing in my career. I had accomplished everything else that comes with the sport. I just have one more goal to achieve - an Olympic medal - and once that happens I will have a lot of stuff to write about.

You spent some time watching the Tour de France in person this summer. What was that like?
It was awesome to see the enthusiasm. It's the greatest bike race on earth. You see it on TV but you really have no idea how fast they are really going.

You also trained in France. How did the tour affect your training?
It was so cool to be able to be in that atmosphere and training at the same time. It motivated me. I would have loved to have stayed a little longer but that was something that was unforeseen.

While in France, you were involved in a bike and car collision. The car had to be towed, the bike was destroyed, but you walked away. Are you Superman?
I appreciate the small cars in France. It could have been a bus, a truck, or a number of other larger vehicles. To say that I was the only thing to walk away from that accident, well I can't put a finger on why I walked away without significant injuries but I am very thankful for how it turned out.

Now that you have gone head-to-head with a car and emerged victorious, is there any other inanimate object in the world you would like to defeat?
If the Olympics were a figure of mass in this world, I would love to go up against that and come out victorious.

Nice, well, considering that the Olympics are six months away, would you like to close out this interview with your thoughts on the upcoming games?
We're coming up on a very important time within my career along with my teammates and everyone associated with the Games. This is a big lead up to what we strive for and hopefully we can have the performance that has us come out and conquer.

Hendrickson Just Misses Podium

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

BISCHOFSGRUEN, Germany (Aug. 9) - Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) again led the way for U.S. ski jumpers, finishing fourth on Sunday during the second day of competition in the Continental Cup's opening weekend of the season in Bischofsguen.

Ulrike Graessler won the event, marking her second victory of the weekend. She amassed 237.8 points with jumps of 67 and 65.5 meters. The victory had Graessler 10 points over Japan's Ayumi Watase, who was second with 65 and 64 meter jumps.

Hendrickson landed jumps of 62.0 and 65.5 to finish just off the podium for the second best result of her Continental Cup career. She won a Continental Cup during the 2009 season in Poland.

On Saturday, Graessler took a 235.5-233.8 victory over Switzerland's Bigna Windmueller with jumps of 68.0 and 65.0 meters. Hendrickson combined leaps of 60.0 and 59.5 to take 19th.

Graessler finished third in the 2009 Continental Cup. Many of the top jumpers, including 2009 series titlist Anette Sagen of Norway and America's World Champion Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) did not compete.

According to Hendrickson, the new season has brought with it some new competitors.

"One really cool thing about these competitions is that we have over 60 girls, which is huge," Hendrickson said. "There are about 20 new girls that I have never seen before. We also have Russian girls and one new Polish girl. It's really nice to have some more competition!"

Continental Cup competition continues in Poehla, Germany on Wednesday, then Oberwiesenthal, Germany next weekend. The summer series wraps up Aug. 21-23 on the Olympic jumps in Lillehammer, Norway.

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS74-meter
Bischofsgruen, Germany
Aug. 9, 2009
1. Ulrike Graessler, Austria, 237.8
2. Ayumi Watase, Japan, 227.9
3. Magdalena Schnurr, Germany, 226.9
4. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 224.3
5. Elena Runggaldier, Italy, 223.8
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32. Karin Friberg, Rosesville, MN, 90.0
36. Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 88.8
39. Nina Lussi, Lake Placid, NY, 87.6

CONTINENTAL CUP SKI JUMPING
Women's HS74-meter
Bischofsgruen, Germany
Aug. 8, 2009
1. Ulrike Graessler, Germany, 235.5
2. Bigna Windmueller, Switzerland, 233.8
3. Caroline Espiau, France, 232.6
4. Ayumi Watase, Japan, 229.1
5. Melanie Faisst, Germany, 227.1
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19. Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 203.1
27. Nina Lussi, Lake Placid, NY, 189.0
31. Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 129.4
39. Karin Friberg, Rosesville, MN, 91.2
# # #

Springer Tournee Wraps Up at UOP

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, Utah (July 28) - The 11th annual North American Springer Tournee wrapped up Saturday following four days of jumping and nordic combined competition with wins from USSA athletes Willy Graves (Putney, VT), Nina Lussi (Lake Placid, NY), Jessica Jerome and Anders Johnson (both Park City, UT). The competition took place at Utah Olympic Park in Park City.

The Springer Tournee is an annual summer competition that brings nordic ski clubs together for a weekend of ski jumping and nordic combined competition. It's named after the prestigious Four Hills Tournament in Austria and Germany.

Graves kicked off the tournament with a win in the nordic combined competition, while Lussi, Jerome and Johnson each won their respective age classes in the women's jumping events.

According to Graves, the nordic combined competition was an intensely close battle for the win.

"The jumping ended up being really tight. A lot of us were within a minute of each other. I skied behind Carl Vanmone and Bryan Fletcher. They caught me from behind and I drafted down. I saved a lot of energy and then we actually caught up to Alex Glueck, right when Taylor Fletcher caught up with us," Graves explained. "He had the fastest ski time. It was on the last hill on the last lap, and then I attacked there and ended up opening up a 15 second gap."

The win is an indicator to Graves that he is making his way through the summer training season successfully.

"It feels good to win at this time of the year just to know that the training has been going better," Graves said. "I've been taking a couple classes at Westminster College this year and I've actually trained more than I did last year, so it's good to know that I'm on track."

In the men's jumping competition, Johnson feels that his win was the outcome of the high level of training he's put in over the summer.

"I guess all summer I've been jumping at a higher level than I have in my entire life. And jumping is going well and off the hill training is going well," Johnson said. "It was nice to go into those competitions and be rewarded for all the hard work I've been putting in, so it was nice to win those competitions."

On Friday, Jerome, Lussi and Johnson made a repeat performance of their Wednesday wins before the tournament came to a close the following day.

For Jerome, winning the Springer jumping competitions was a chance to get back in the swing of competition.

"It definitely feels good. I'm not competing internationally at all this summer so the only time I get to compete is either the club competitions or at nationals and a couple more," Jerome said. "I'm hoping I can take it from there and keep it going."

In the end, winning the Springer was winning against the best in the field for Johnson.

"The level was as high as it can be in the U.S. so it's never easy to win a competition against the best people from the U.S. and Canada. It was good," Johnson said.

For complete results from the Springer Tournee click here.

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Lodwick in Car-Bike Crash

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

ALBERTVILLE, France (July 22) - World Champion skier Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) learned Wednesday that watching the Tour de France can be as dangerous as competing. The U.S. Ski Team athlete was involved in a car-bike collision while riding back from spectating at a Tour stage.

PHOTO: World champ Todd Lodwick split his front fork but the rest of his titanium bike survived a crash with a car near Albertville. (Chris Gilbertson/U.S. Ski Team)

Cycling back to Albertville shortly after watching the early portion of stage 17 of the Tour on the Col de Les Saisies, Lodwick rounded a corner and, in swerving to miss a stopped vehicle, collided head on with an oncoming car.

Lodwick rose to nordic combined success during the 2009 season as he made a return from retirement at the age of 31 to win two World Championship gold medals.

While he did suffer some bumps and bruises, Lodwick is in good condition. He was treated and released from an Albertville hospital. He will now rest before returning to the states.

"The crash happened very quickly, but I am happy to be uninjured, which is more than I can say for the car and my bike," Lodwick said. "I am looking forward to getting to my family, resting up a bit and then heading back into the training season."

Members of the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team are in France not only to watch the Tour, but also to train. They have been jumping with international teams in Courchevel while also taking in legs of the Tour. The Team will remain in France for another week.

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PHOTO: World champion Todd Lodwick was banged and bruised but otherwise uninjured in a bike crash riding down from a Tour de France stage. (Chris Gilbertson/U.S. Ski Team)

Nordic Combined Scales New Heights

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

COL DE LA MADELEINE, France (July 20) - Three U.S. Ski Team World Champions took a break from ski jump training in Courchevel, France Monday to climb onto their bikes and scale the 2,000 meter crest of the Col de la Madeleine. The fabled pass is one of the most notorious climbs in the Tour de France.

The U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team is in Courchevel training on the 1992 Olympic jumps and taking day trips over some of the staggering mountains passes in France's Savoie region.

World champions Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane (both Steamboat Springs, CO) along with Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) scaled the pass along with teammate Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) and Head Coach Dave Jarrett.

The Tour de France resumes Tuesday after a rest day in a stage running from Martigny, Switzerland to Bourg-Ste.-Maurice, France. "We're planning to stake out a spot at the top of the last climb up the Col du Petit San Bernard," said Jarrett. In Wednesday's final big mountain stage, Jarrett is looking at the Col de Les Saises, then catching the individual time trial Thursday after jump training in Annecy.

Spillane made history with the first American nordic World Championship title when he won the nordic combined sprint in 2003. Lodwick, staging a remarkable comeback, won two gold at this past year's World Championships while Demong won gold and silver.

"This camp has been awesome so far," said Jarrett. "We have been able to jump in the mornings and head out on the roads in the afternoon. We are especially excited to watch the Tour in person.

"One of the goals of this camp was to get the veterans excited," he added. "We have done that. Furthermore, I hope seeing these guys, if only for a minute as they go by, will inspire and motivate our athletes to prepare and execute next February in Whistler."

The Team is planning to do a few more famous passes including the Galibier and a time trial up Alpe d'Huez.

PHOTO: U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team athletes rest atop the 2,000-meter Col de la Madeleine including (from left) Billy Demong, Johnny Spillane, Dave Jarrett and Todd Lodwick. (U.S. Ski Team/Dave Jarrett)

Combined Team Takes on the Tour

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

CORMET DE ROSELEND, France (July 19) - While Lance Armstrong was chasing teammate Alberto Contador up the climb to Verbier Sunday, athletes of the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team, including World Champions Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) were previewing Wednesday's stage 17 of the Tour de France from Bourg-Ste.-Maurice to Le Grand-Bornand, one of the massive alpine stages of the Tour. The team is kicking off a camp in nearby Courchevel and taking time off as the Tour comes through the Alps.

PHOTO: The Team takes a break at the top of the Col de la Madeleine. (Dave Jarrett/U.S. Ski Team)

Sunday's ride took the the team up the Cormet de Roselend, one of the first climbs in Wednesday's stage 17. Monday, they'll be on the 1992 Olympic jumps in Courchevel followed by a leisurely ride up the Col de la Madeleine - one of the most feared, steep mountain climbs in the history of the Tour de France. While not in this year's program, the Col de la Madeline has made or broken many cyclists' Tours, climbing steeply up to 2,000 meters in the mountains southwest of Albertville.

Tuesday the Team plans to station itself at the top of the last climb, the Col du Petit San Bernard. In Wednesday's final big mountain stage, Coach Dave Jarrett is looking at the Col de Les Saises, then catching the individual time trial Thursday after jump training in Annecy.

"This is a great opportunity for us to get in some training on the jumps in Courchevel and to get motivated by seeing some of the greatest athletes in the world in the Tour," siad Jarrett. The team's also planning a ride up the staggering Galibier and a team time trial up the feared Alpe d'Huez.

PHOTO: View of Bourg-Ste.-Maurice from atop the Col du Petit St. Bernard. (Dave Jarrett/U.S. Ski Team)