LAKE PLACID, NY (Oct. 12) - Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) flew back into the spotlight, capping a strong fall return to competition with her third career national title. Hendrickson won the K95 U.S. Ski Jumping Championship at the Flaming Leaves Festival on the Lake Placid Olympic jump. Nick Fairall (Andover, NH) took his second title, winning for the men. Hendrickson came out on top after a tight battle with teammate Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT), picking up the win on her second ride of 97.5 meters. Fairall, meanwhile, broke a first round tie with Anders Johnson (Park City, UT) with a stunning 100.5 meter jump.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nick Fairall (Andover, NH) and Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) took gold in the K95 meter U.S. Ski Jumping Championship on the Olympic jump in Lake Placid.
- Tight Races: Closest titles races in recent history. Fairall broke a first round deadlock with teammate Anders Johnson (Park City, UT) with a 100.5-meter second ride. Hendrickson was trailing Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) by a single point after the first round, and won by just one with a strong second jump.
- Fairall Season: Fairall, who won the Olympic Trials for ski jumping last December has had a strong summer jumping season with two top-five FIS Cups, including a podium, and a top ten Continental Cup.
- Hendrickson Comeback: After a stunning comeback from an August 2013 injury to make the Olympic Team, Hendrickson took a break to recover fully and has had a strong fall with a pair of second place Continental Cup finishes. It was her first U.S. Championship appearance since she and Fairall won the large hill in Park City in August 2013, just prior to her injury.
- The U.S. Championships capped a weekend of ski jumping at the annual Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid.
MEDALISTS
2014-15 K95 U.S. Ski Jumping Championship
Men's
Gold: Nick Fairall (Andover, NH)
Silver: Anders Johnson (Park City, UT)
Bronze: Will Rhoads (Park City, UT)
Women's
Gold: Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT)
Silver: Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT)
Bronze: Tara Geraghty-Moats (West Fairlee, VT)
QUOTES
Nick Fairall, U.S. Champion
It was a very beautiful day for sure, with the weather. It was a tough week training with a lot of wind and adverse conditions but today was excellent. The conditions were fair, for the most part, for everyone. The jury did a good job in controlling the conditions the best they could.
My jumps were decent. I was able to put two of them together, so I’m pleased with the outcome. I’m just glad to go home with the title.
Sarah Hendrickson, U.S. Champion
We really had a high level of competition, with both Jessica (Jerome) and Tara (Geraghty-Moats) in the field, they both represent women’s ski jumping really well, so overall, I’m really happy with the results.
Jessica Jerome, Silver Medalist
The conditions for this competition were fair and the five of us were very close in our jumps. Anyone could have won this competition, although I am happy for Sarah. We are really pushing one another to become prepared for upcoming competitions.
RESULTS
Official Results
