LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Dec. 3) – Two women have been named to the U.S. Ski Jumping Team for the 2015-16 season based on national team selection criteria. Qualifying were veteran and World Champion Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT), along with Nita Englund (Florence, WI), who finished third in the world in the International Ski Federation’s Summer Grand Prix. The winter World Cup tour opens this weekend on the Olympic jumps in Lillehammer.
Hendrickson, who won the 2013 world title, qualified for the team but is sitting out the season following knee surgery. Englund, who had a strong 2015 season, including making the World Championship Team, is expected to contend for World Cup podiums after her strong performance this past summer and fall on the Grand Prix tour.
The 2015-16 World Cup season opens Friday on the HS100 meter Olympic hill in Lillehammer, before heading to Russia for a pair of events in Nizhny Tagil Dec. 12-13. Joining Englund on the World Cup will be Nina Lussi (Lake Placid, NY) and Tara Geraghty Moats (W. Fairlee, VT).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nita Englund (Florence, WI) and Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) were named to the U.S. Ski Jumping Team based on national team selection criteria.
- Hendrickson, the 2013 World Champion, will sit out the World Cup season following knee surgery. She underwent her final surgery in late November with doctors pleased with her recovery.
- Englund took a big step forward this past summer, finishing third in the FIS Summer Grand Prix.
- The U.S. Ski Team supports top international level athletes in collaboration with Women’s Ski Jumping USA.
- Women kickoff their World Cup season Friday, Dec. 4 on the HS100 Olympic jump in Lillehammer, Norway.
- The team prepared with an on-snow camp on the jumps in Ramsau, Austria with over 40 jumps, before a final day in Planica, Slovenia before heading to Lillehammer.
2016 U.S. SKI JUMPING TEAM
Name, Hometown, Club (Skis, Boots, Eyewear, Helmet, Personal Sponsor) Date of Birth
Nita Englund, Florence, WI, Kiwanis Ski Club (Elan, Rass, Uvex, Uvex, Eesestemi) 6/10/92
Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, Women’s Ski Jumping USA (Fluege, Rass, Oakley, POC, Red Bull) 8/1/94
Women’s Ski Jumping USA Coaching Staff
Alan Alborn, Head Coach
Vasja Bajc, Travel Coach
QUOTES
Nita Englund
I feel confident going into this weekend. I am only focused on performing on my current level. I’m not sure what that will bring in results tomorrow but I am not really worrying about the level of the other jumpers at the moment.
Sarah Hendrickson, World Champion
I am committed to getting strong but also staying aware that this will be a mental break for myself as well. I can't wait to get back competing with plenty of time before Korea and I know I will come back stronger than ever. The timing is perfect and I know exactly what I need to do to prepare myself for medal contention.
Alan Alborn, Head Coach
Nita has shown the world that she is serious about the sport and her success is a direct result of her making some great decisions for her personal life and athletic career. She has made some major changes in her lifestyle including immersing herself in Slovenia, which is a hot bed for ski jumping.
