Lillehammer, Norway – Sarah Hendrickson made a flying leap into the history books Saturday. And she’s only 17.
The Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team member from Park City, Utah, bested a talented field of women ski jumpers to win the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup opener in Lillehammer, Norway. She now holds the title as the first woman ever to win a World Cup (WC) ski jumping competition.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” she said.
Hendrickson’s teammates mobbed her in the outrun minutes after she jumped 95.5 meters in the second round to take a 30-point lead over second-place finisher, Coline Mattel of France. Melanie Faisst of Germany, was third. Henrickson’s teammates, Jessica Jerome finished 12th, Alissa Johnson 19th and Abby Hughes 21st. All are from Park City.
This isn’t the first history-making accomplishment for Hendrickson. In 2010, she became the only American (male or female) to medal in a Junior World Ski Jumping Championships, where she won a Bronze.
Women ski jumpers have competed on the lower-tier Continental Cup for seven years, since 2004-05. Women were first included in the Junior World Championships in 2006 and the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in 2009. In 2010, the FIS approved a World Cup circuit for women to debut this season. Nearly 50 jumpers from 15 nations competed Saturday. The World Cup season includes 14 events at nine venues in seven countries.
“Overall, the competition went really well,” said Jerome, this year’s large hill U.S. National Champion. “The hill crew did an amazing job given that the weather was so sketchy all week. It was a terrific first World Cup comp.”
Hendrickson had been looking good all week in training. On Friday, she was first in both training rounds and had the longest jump of the day at 98 meters. Her first jump on Saturday was 100.5 meters, nearly eight meters longer than anyone else.
“On the second round, I felt really good. Before I jumped, they moved the bar down because of the wind, but I knew I could still do it,” Hendrickson said. “It was fun and I enjoyed every second of it.”
She credits her strong jumping to the extra training she says she and her teammates received this summer and fall in Park City. “I think that gave us a real advantage and helped with our confidence.” Hendrickson attends the elite Winter Sports School in Park City.
Paolo Bernardi, Women’s Ski Jumping USA international coach, said it had become pretty clear that Hendrickson was the strongest in the women’s field this week.
“Nobody was even close enough to try and beat her today (Saturday),” Bernardi said. “The second round was a little sketchy because she was a little far forward and her skis were super close to her body in flight.
“She was right on the edge — all the other coaches were amazed by her performance,” he added. “If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be a little on the edge.”
Veteran Jerome said Hendrickson had found that “sweet spot” in which all jumpers strive. “She works really hard and puts so much pressure on herself and she certainly handled it very well. We couldn’t be happier for her,” she said.
Bernardi noted that Hendrickson made history again for the U.S. after the historic victory of Lindsey Van in 2009. Van won the first ever women’s World Ski Jumping Championship in Liberec, Czech Republic. The veteran jumper didn’t compete in Lillehammer as she’s recovering from ankle surgery.
“All together our team did a good job. This shows we are ready and strong and we’re thrilled for Sarah,” Bernardi said.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS World Cup Women’s Ski Jumping
Lillehammer, Norway – Dec. 3, 2011
Women’s Normal Hill
(with wind system calculation)
1. Sarah Hendrickson, USA, (100.5, 95.5) 277.0
2. Coline Mattel, FRA, (92, 87) 247.7
3. Melanie Faisst, GER, (88.5, 93) 245.5