Park City, Utah (March 21, 2023) – Last weekend, USA Nordic Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined athletes competed in different Continental Cup events in Lahti, Finland. Multiple USA Nordic athletes were able to record top-thirty finishes, ending their 2022/2023 season on a high note.
Women’s Ski Jumping (March 17th)
Two separate Women’s Ski Jumping Continental Cup events were held on March 17th in Lahti, with Cara Larson being the sole athlete from the United States competing. During the day’s first HS130 Continental Cup, Larson went 79.5 meters for 25.6 points, putting her in 24th place for the final round. Larson was then able to best her first round performance, going 81.0 meters for 34.9 points, as she was able to finish 25th overall. Later in the day, during second HS130 Continental Cup, Larson was able to put together a 89.5 meter jump for 47.1 points in the first round. She then went 83.0 meters in the second round (29.9 points), giving her a total of 77.0 points, as she carded a 22nd place finish.
Men’s Nordic Combined (March 17th – 19th)
The first Continental Cup for Men’s Nordic Combined in Lahti was held on March 17th, as athletes competed in a HS130/10km event. On the hill, Niklas Malacinski was able to jump to 11th overall, as he went 130.5 meters for 120.0 points. Grant Andrews then jumped to 27th overall, as he went 116.5 meters for 103.8 points. Next up was Erik Lynch, who landed at 111.0 meters for 91.3 points, putting him in 38th place. Carter Brubaker then rounded things off, as he jumped to 104.0 meters for 78.9 points, which put him in 43rd place. Later in the day, during the 10km race, Malacinski was able to ski up from the 11th position. Finishing the course in 25:44.9, Malacinski placed 9th overall, which was the highest finish of the day out of the athletes representing the United States. Andrews followed in 31st place, as he finished the 10km race in 26:57.9. Lynch was right behind Andrews in 32nd place, with a course time of 26:42.3, as he skied up from the 38th position. Brubaker was also able to ski up, as he ended his day in 40th place, after finishing the 10km in 26:49.3.
The next HS130/10km COC was held on March 18th, where the jump from the provisional competition round was used for the positioning of the 10km race. During the PCR, Malacinski jumped to 13th overall, after he went 113.0 meters for 107.8 points. Andrews jumped to 102.0 meters for 84.4 points, which put him in the 34th position for the start of the 10km. Brubaker was right behind in 35th, as he put together a 104.5 meter jump for a total of 82.4 points. Lynch placed 40th overall, as he landed at 95.0 meters, tallying 58.8 points. During the 10km race, Malacisnki was able to record the highest finish of the day, placing 15th overall after finishing the course in 28:43.3. Brubaker was the second athlete to record a top-thirty finish on the day, coming in 28th place, after skiing up and finishing his 10km race in 28:55.9. Andrews followed in 33rd (29:21.6 total time), with Lynch close behind in 36th (28:40.9), as both athletes were able to ski up.
The final COC in Lahti was held on March 19th, as athletes took the hill for a Team HS130/2×7.5km event. The duo of Andrews and Malacinski placed 7th overall, as Andrews went 106.5 meters and Malacinski went 117.0 meters, totaling 210.2 points. Brubaker and Lynch placed 17th overall on the HS130, after Brubaker went 103.5 meters and Lynch went 102.0 meters, for a total of 172.1 points. Lynch and Brubaker were then able to ski up during the 2×7.5km relay, placing 14th overall, after Brubaker finished in 19:56.4 and Lynch finished in 17:52.3 (+4:06.0 behind first). Andrews and Malacinski were disqualified during the 2×7.5km race.
Men’s Ski Jumping (March 18th – 19th)
Tate Frantz was the sole athlete to represent the United States at the Men’s Ski Jumping Continental Cup competitions in Lahti, Finland. The first HS130 Continental Cup was held on March 18th, as Frantz went 89.0 meters in the first round. This gave him a total of 48.9 points, putting him 51st overall, as he was unable to advance to the second round of action. The final HS130 Continental Cup was held on March 19th, as Frantz was able to have a better day on the hill. Frantz was able to go 105.0 meters for 87.1 points in the first round, as he was unable to advance to the final round, finishing the day in 41st place.
