Ljubno, Slovenia – Sarah Hendrickson’s double fist-pump in the outrun is a modest show of celebration for the Utah teen who’s been adamantly punching through the ceiling of women’s ski jumping this season.

With another World Cup win in Ljubno on Sunday to match her win on Saturday, Hendrickson is sitting soundly in first place in the overall standings. She has won six out of nine World Cup events and has notched at least two hill records, including Sunday’s second-round jump of 95 meters on the challenging K85 jump in Ljubno.

“I had one of the best jumps I’ve ever had in competition and it all just came together and worked out so well,” Hendrickson said. “Technically I stayed in balance and my timing was good and in flight I kept my arms closer to my body. It was great coming over the knoll in that second jump — I knew it was good.”

Coach Paolo Bernardi said Hendrickson is going from event to event, focused on jumping her best — and focused to win. “She’s in the perfect spot now,” he said of her overall first-place ranking.

The Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team is also number one overall — more than 437 points ahead of Germany — thanks to consistent podium, top-10 and top-20 results. Jessica Jerome, who took fifth on Saturday and eighth on Sunday, is jumping aggressively and is stepping up with more confidence, Bernardi said.

“Coming into this weekend, I knew what I needed to do in Ljubno. This hill can be challenging and there were a couple of technical things I was able to figure out and fix,” said Jerome, currently ranked 10^th in the world. “I was really happy with my results.”

Lindsey Van, ranked third in the world, was eighth on Saturday and 10^th Sunday; Abby Hughes was 18^th both days; and Alissa Johnson was 22^nd and 21^st. All are from Park City, Utah. More than 3,000 spectators came out both days to watch the women jump — some of the largest crowds they’ve had so far this season.

“It’s been a long six weeks on the road and I’m looking forward to coming home to recharge and prepare for the next World Cups in Zao, Japan,” Jerome said. “Our team is doing amazing and we’re ready to finish out the season strong.”

Hendrickson, Nina Lussi and Nita Englund will compete in a Continental Cup event Feb. 18-19 in Liberec, Czech Republic in preparation for the Junior World Ski Jumping Championships on Feb. 23 in Erzurum, Turkey. The World Cup tour continues March 3-4 in Zao, Japan, where there will be three comps (one was added to make up for an earlier cancellation in Poland). The World Cup final is set for March 9 in Oslo, Norway.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
Ljubno, Slovenia  – Feb. 12, 2012
Women’s Normal Hill, HS95, K-point 85