PARK CITY, Utah (May 13, 2020) – USA Nordic has hired Anders Johnson to fulfill the role of Women’s Ski Jumping Coach. Johnson represented the United States in three Olympic Games as a ski jumper and has spent the past five years gaining valuable coaching experience, the past two as Head Coach of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined for the Park City Ski & Snowboard Club.
Johnson will be working underneath a familiar face in Women’s Ski Jumping Director Blake Hughes. The two have known each other for more than 20 years now, most recently coaching women’s ski jumping specific camps together the past few seasons. “Blake and I have a lot of passion for this sport, so for me I’m most excited to continue working with Blake to see our athletes succeed at the highest level,” says Johnson.
When looking at the women’s ski jumping national team roster, Johnson has familiarity with a majority of the athletes as well. This will ease the transition to his new role. “Over the past two years, I’ve been able to get to know most of these athletes both athletically and personally.”
Johnson hopes that his experience as an American ski jumper will help him guide these athletes. “As someone who spent nearly a decade competing in the sport at the highest level, I understand the challenges that my athletes are presented with and I feel like I can connect with them on a personal and professional level to help them overcome those hurdles and achieve their goals,” says Johnson.
When asked of his goals with the team, Johnson immediately discusses the 2021 World Championships which will take place in Oberstdorf, Germany. He then says, “But first consistent results on the World Cup, that’s our team’s biggest focus right now.”