Van, Jerome in top 10 in Hinterzarten World Cup

HINTERZARTEN, Germany — The second World Cup event of the season saw two Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team members in the top 10 out of a field of 70 jumpers.

Lindsey Van and Jessica Jerome finished 9th and 10th Saturday at the Hinterzarten World Cup. Both Van and Jerome put down solid jumps in the second round with Van edging out Jerome with a 98.5-meter ride.

Japan’s Sara Takanashi won the event after flying 105 meters in the second round, while 2011 World Champion Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, of Austria, at 101m. Irina Avvakumpva, of Russia, was 3rd. Visa Team jumpers Alissa Johnson was 30th and Abby Hughes 46th.

Both Van and Jerome bounced back after placing 22nd and 19th in the World Cup opener in Lillehammer on Dec. 7.

“I was a lot more confident going into the competition today (Saturday) than two weeks ago in Lillehammer. It's still a really tough field with 70 jumpers,” Jerome said. “My jumps weren’t as good in the comp as in official training, but it's going in the right direction and I'm excited for tomorrow (Sunday).”

Van said her jumping is better, but she’s looking for more from herself. “I know there’s more in there.”

In a big blow to the sport, Austria’s Jacqueline Seifriedsberger fell during training and suffered an ACL tear to her right knee. Seifriedsberger is the bronze medalist from the 2013 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, and will likely miss the debut of her sport in the Olympic Winter Games in February.  Visa Team member Sarah Hendrickson, who won gold in Val di Fiemme, is home in Park City rehabbing from her August knee injury and is on track to be back on snow in January.

On Sunday the women take to the normal hill again in Hinterzarten.

Dec. 21, 2013 Normal Hill women’s event
See full results: http://www.fis-ski.com/ski-jumping/events-and-places/event=33474/race=3830/index.html

UP NEXT
• Dec. 22 - Hinterzarten, GER
• Dec. 29 – USOC Olympic Trials in Park City, Utah