KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (Dec. 9) - Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) was uncharacteristically off the World Cup podium, as three U.S. women cracked the top 10 in day two on the Olympic jump in Sochi. Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) came from behind to lead the USA in sixth, with Hendrickson seventh. Abby Hughes (Park City, UT) had a career best ninth. Austria's Daniela Iraschko and France's Coline Mattel tied for the win. The women now head to Ramsau, Austria for a pair of events next weekend. Organizers battled rain and 50 degree temperatures to prepare the venue, which drew strong marks from teams.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) led the USA finishing sixth in the second test competition on the Olympic jump outside Sochi. Van moved up from 21st after the first round with the third best second jump.
- Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) was off the podium for the first time in 14 World Cups finishing seventh.
- Abby Hughes (Park City, UT) continued her strong progress, jumping to a career best ninth.
- Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) was 19th with a strong second round jump.
- It was a complete shakeup of results across the board with Austria's Daniela Iraschko and France's Coline Mattel tying for the win. Japan's Sara Takanashi was third to move into the World Cup lead over Hendrickson.
- The World Cup now heads to Ramsau for a pair of events next weekend.
QUOTE
Sarah Hendrickson
It's a new country for me and a new adventure. The organizers did a good job and I was really excited to jump here.
One moment during official training I was in the start area and there were like ten jumpers in front of me. I was looking down the hill and thinking that in a little over a year from now there will be girls looking at the exact same thing before they take their first Olympic jumper ever. That was amazing.
Paolo Bernardi, Women's Ski Jumping USA World Cup Coach
The weather was perfect but not the wind. Despite the wind our team did an amazing job with three top 10 and all four athletes in the top 20. Abby (Hughes) scored her best World Cup results ever and proved once again that she's on the right track to the top.
Our first impression about the venue is good. The potential to be one of the best venues in the world is clear. The crew did an amazing job to prepare the hill with almost impossible conditions under heavy rain and temperatures around 50 degrees All the venues are surrounded with beautiful mountains and great views but also surrounded by construction. I can't wait to see how this place can look next year when all the works are done.
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