Klingenthal, Germany (December 11, 2023) – Last weekend, USA Nordic Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined athletes competed at different World and Continental Cup competitions around the world. Men’s Ski Jumping athletes competed at the World Cup events in Klingenthal, Germany, with other athletes from Men’s and Women’s Ski Jumping, as well as Men’s and Women’s Nordic Combined, competing in Continental Cup events in Lillehammer, Norway.
Men’s Ski Jumping
Andrew Urlaub, Erik Belshaw and Tate Frantz represented the United States at the World Cup events in Klingenthal, Germany. The action got started on Friday, December 8th, as athletes competed in the first HS140 Qualification of the weekend. Belshaw was the first to qualify, as he went 122.0 meters for 95.4 points, as he placed 29th overall. Frantz was next, qualifying in 50th place, after he was able to jump to 107.5 meters for 70.2 points. Urlaub barely missed qualification, placing 52nd overall, after going 110.5 meters for 68.5 points. Belshaw and Frantz then competed in the Individual HS140 World Cup on Saturday, December 9th. Belshaw went 118.0 meters for 80.7 points in the first round, finishing 36th overall, with Frantz jumping to 110.5 meters for 72.3 points, as he placed 43rd overall. Both athletes were unable to qualify for the final round of competition.
The final events of the weekend came on Sunday, December 10th, as athletes competed in another HS140 Qualification. Urlaub was the first to qualify, placing 47th overall with a jump of 110.5 meters for 81.3 points. Frantz was right behind in 49th, as he jumped to 111.0 meters for 73.6 points. During the Individual HS140 World Cup, Frantz finished the day in 41st place, as he put together a jump of 120.5 meters for 102.8 points. Urlaub finished 44th overall, as he jumped to 121.5 meters for 101.1 points, ending the weekend in Klingenthal for Men’s Ski Jumping.
Decker Dean and Kevin Bickner represented the United States at the Continental Cup events in Lillehammer, Norway. During the HS140 COC on Saturday, December 9th, Dean was able to place 38th overall. Going 113.5 meters for 88.6 points in the first round, Dean was unable to qualify for the final round of action. The weekend then wrapped up on Sunday, December 10th, as athletes competed in another HS140 COC. Bickner placed 44th overall, going 108.5 meters for 86.9 points, with Dean coming in 46th, as he went 108.5 meters for 81.3 points. Both Dean and Bickner were unable to qualify for the final round, finishing out their weekend in Lillehammer.
Women’s Ski Jumping
Josie Johnson, Paige Jones, Sam Macuga and Cara Larson competed at the Inter-Continental Cup events in Lillehammer, Norway. During the HS98 ICOC event on Saturday, December 9th, Jones was able to place 6th overall. Jones was able to put together jumps of 86.5 and 89.0 meters during the competition, scoring 214.7 total points. Macuga finished in 18th, putting together jumps of 84.0 and 82.0 meters, for 185.8 total points. Johnson placed 25th overall, jumping to 74.5 and 79.5 meters for 167.8 total points. Larson placed 37th overall, as she went 69.0 meters for 65.7 points.
The final HS98 ICOC event took place on Sunday, December 5th, as Jones was able to place 4th overall. Jones jumped to 91.0 and 85.5 meters for 215.8 total points, closing out her strong weekend in Lillehammer. Macuga finished in 12th place, as she went 84.5 and 82.0 meters, giving her 193.5 total points on the day. Johnson finished in 23rd, jumping to 80.0 and 75.5 meters, which gave her 169.9 total points. Larson placed 36th overall, as she went 71.5 meters for 69.8 points.
Men’s & Women’s Nordic Combined
Annika Malacinski and Alexa Brabec represented the United States at the Women’s Nordic Combined Continental Cup competitions in Lillehammer, Norway. During the HS98/5km event on Friday, December 8th, Malacinski was able to jump to 6th overall, going 80.0 meters for 96.7 points. Brabec jumped to 12th overall, as she went 75.5 meters for 84.7 points. Malacinski skied up from the 6th position in the 5km, finishing 3rd overall, as she completed the course with a time of 15:30.4. Brabec was able to ski up as well, finishing 6th overall (15:41.2 total time), which tied her COC personal best.
The weekend concluded on Saturday, December 9th, as Malacinski and Brabec competed in another HS98/5km COC. Malacinski continued her dominant weekend, jumping to 4th overall, as she went 85.5 meters for 109.0 points. Brabec had a great day on the hill as well, as she went 77.0 meters for 85.8 points, putting her in the 11th position. Malacinski then earned her second podium finish of the weekend, placing 2nd overall, after completing the 5km in 17:04.9. Brabec recorded another top-ten finish, placing 7th overall, as she completed the 5km race in 17:15.2.
Carter Brubaker, Gunnar Gilbertson, Evan Nichols and Erik Lynch represented the United States at the Men’s Nordic Combined Continental Cup events in Lillehammer, Norway. National Team athlete Carter Brubaker placed 46th overall in Friday’s HS98/10km COC, and then closed out his weekend with a 42nd place finish in Saturday’s HS98/10km. The highest finish of the weekend came from Erik Lynch, as he placed 34th overall during Friday’s HS98/10km.
Results
Men’s Ski Jumping – Klingenthal World Cups
Men’s & Women’s Ski Jumping – Lillehammer Continental Cups
Men’s & Women’s Nordic Combined – Lillehammer Continental Cups
