Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup Preview

PARK CITY, Utah December 5, 2019 – The Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup begins this weekend in Lillehammer, Norway. Representing America this weekend will be Nina Lussi (Lake Placid, N.Y.) and Tara Geraghty-Moats (West Fairlee, VT). 

A year ago Lussi was still recovering from her 2018 knee injury and she didn’t return to the World Cup till January of last winter. “I’m feeling fit and healthy,” says Lussi. Both things that she does not take for granted after 2018.

While it’s hard to know where her level is at before any competitions have taken place, Lussi is satisfied with the quality of training recently, “I’ve had some really productive training here before the World Cup.” Coach Cuznar is a big believer in Lussi but emphasizes that they are going into the season with no expectations. Though he’s well aware of her potential saying, “With her best jumps, she is capable of great results.”

Geraghty-Moats made a name for herself in the world of nordic combined last season winning every competition she competed in. Once a full time ski jumper, Geraghty-Moats has now transitioned to a full time training program for nordic combined. Though, that won’t keep her from competing in ski jumping when given the opportunity.

When asked if she prepares any differently for a ski jumping competition, Geraghty-Moats says, “Maybe I won’t do quite as many intervals the week before, besides that though, I’m not going to change my preparation at all.” Geraghty-Moats works mostly with Nordic Combined Coach Tomas Matura, so coach Cuznar is looking forward to seeing what she’s capable of this weekend, “I’m excited to see how she can compete on the Ski Jumping World Cup,” says Cuznar. 

In the past, the Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup has mostly competed on K90’s (normal hills). Both competitions in Lillehammer this weekend will be held on the K120 (large hill). Over the course of the 2019/2020 season, ten world cup competitions will be held on large hills- a new record. Head Coach Igor Cuznar is a huge fan of this decision by the FIS, “It was an obvious choice to schedule more large hill competitions for the women. The sport is at such a high level now.” 

Many of these large hill competitions will come at the end of the season during the Raw Air Tournament which will send the women’s ski jumping circuit across Norway competing every single day for seven days. Lussi is very much looking forward to this challenge, “I already have my sights set on the Raw Air Tour in March. I think this is a huge test for athletes to perform day after day, with little rest and a lot of changing venues.”

While Lussi will be on the Ski Jumping World Cup for the entirety of the season, Geraghty-Moats will be focusing more on nordic combined. “I’ll only compete in a maximum of four Ski Jumping World Cups this year,” says Geraghty-Moats. This means a spot on the World Cup will open up. Who will fill that spot is yet to be determined, though Anna Hoffman (Madison, WI) and Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO) would be great bets based on their strong summer results. 

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