Men’s and Women’s Ski Jumping - Szczyrk Summer Grand Prix Recap

Szczyrk, Poland (August 8th, 2023) – The FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix circuit continued this weekend, as athletes competed in Szczyrk, Poland. Andrew Urlaub, Decker Dean and Erik Belshaw represented the United States for Men’s Ski Jumping, with Belshaw making his Summer Grand Prix debut. Paige Jones and Sam Macuga represented Women’s Ski Jumping, with both athletes making their Summer Grand Prix debuts.

Men’s Ski Jumping

Men’s Ski Jumping got things started on Friday, August 4th, as the athletes took the hill for the first HS104 Qualification of the weekend. All three athletes were able to qualify, with Dean coming in 24th (95.0 meters, 121.1 points), Urlaub in 40th (95.0 meters, 114.1 points) and Belshaw in 50th (89.0 meters, 107.6 points).

The first HS104 Summer Grand Prix of the weekend was held on Saturday, August 5th. During the first round of action, Urlaub put together an 89.0 meter jump for 102.8 points, placing him 32nd overall. Dean was close behind in 35th place, after going 93.0 meters for 101.8 points. Belshaw rounded things off, finishing 48th overall (87.0 meters, 86.8 points), as all three athletes were unable to qualify for the final round.

The final day of action for Men’s Ski Jumping was on Sunday, August 6th, with the HS104 Qualification being held in the morning. Dean placed 19th overall, qualifying with a 98.5 meter jump 119.1 points. Belshaw was right behind in 20th, after going 90.5 meters for 118.3 points. Urlaub placed 41st in the HS104 Qualification, jumping to 89.0 meters for 101.6 points.

Due to inclement weather, only one round of competition was held during Sunday’s HS104 Summer Grand Prix. In the first round of action, Dean went 101.0 meters for 122.1 points, as he ended his day with a 20th overall finish. Urlaub placed 22nd overall, as he put together a 93.0 meter jump for 121.2 points. Belshaw ended his day in 37th place, going 90.0 meters for 109.4 points, ending Men’s Ski Jumping’s time in Szczyrk.

Overall, it was satisfying to see that the team is starting to perform closer to the top level of competition,” said Ski Jumping Head Coach, Tore Sneli. “This has given us positive motivation for the next training period, as well as the next round of competitions.”

Women’s Ski Jumping

Women’s Ski Jumping’s first HS104 Summer Grand Prix event of the weekend was held on Saturday, August 5th, as Jones and Macuga took the hill. In the first round, Jones was able to jump to 86.5 meters for 90.8 points, with Macuga going 78.0 meters for 73.7 points, as both athletes advanced to the second round. During the final round, Jones threw down an 85.0 meter jump for 88.6 points, giving her a total of 179.4 points on the day and earning a 19th place finish. Macuga’s final jump went for 78.5 meters and 73.4 points, giving her a total of 147.1 points on the day, as she finished 28th overall.

Like Men’s Ski Jumping, due to inclement weather, Women’s Ski Jumping only had one round of competition was during Sunday’s HS104 Summer Grand Prix. During the first round, Jones jumped to 80.5 meters for 87.0 points, as she placed 20th overall. Macuga went 73.0 meters for 71.1 points, ending her weekend with a 31st place finish.

It was a rainy and windy weekend in Szczyrk, but it was nice to be back competing. On Saturday, both girls managed personal bests and scored their first Summer Grand Prix Points,” said Women’s Ski Jumping Head Coach, Trevor Edlund. “Sunday was a bit challenging with heavy rain and wind. However, Paige jumped to 20th place in the first round which ended up being the official result.”