German ski jumper wins

BEAR HOLLOW — The U.S. women's ski jumping team didn't dominate the International Women's Ski Jumping Festival as some had hoped.

Fact is, no one country did, which really speaks well of the sport, still in its infant years. It was only a couple of months ago the ruling body of skiing, the International Ski Federation, gave a favorable nod toward women's ski jumping.

In the second day of competition Saturday, Juliane Seyfahrt of Germany, ranked No. 5 in the world, won. She also won Friday's jumping, but Saturday the competition was much tighter. She won by eight points on Friday, but by only a single point on Saturday.

America's best was Jessica Jerome in fourth place. She is ranked No. 3 in the world jumping ranks. America's Lindsey Van, ranked No. 2, another off jumping day. She finished 10th.

"She was a little off today," said Casey Colby, head coach of the U.S. women's team. "Things she normally does well, she didn't do as well today. It happens. She knows it."

Seyfahrt posted jumps of 96.5 and 94.5 meters, which when combined with style points finished with a total of 245.

Anette Sagen of Norway, the No. 1-ranked jumper in the world, was runner-up with 244 points. She was in first place after the first jump with the longest jump of the day — 97.5 meters. Her second jump was only 92.5 meters.

Third was Daniela Iraschko of Austria with 234.5 points. She posted jumps of 93 and 92 meters, respectively.

Jerome, who also finished 4th on Friday, had jumps of 92.5 and 91, which when added to style points added up to 230.5.

Alissa Johnson, ranked No. 11, was fifth. She finished with 230 points.

America's top jumpers are all from Park City.

There were, as Colby pointed out, some good things to come out of this event, the first of the 2006/07 season in the Continental Cup.

"Overall, I'm pleased," he noted. "We had four in the top 10 and we saw some personal bests."

Avery Ardovino of the U.S., ranked No. 39, posted by far her best finish. She was 15th with 208 points. This was her first finish in the top 15.

Other Americans to finish in the top 10 were Abby Hughes in seventh and Van in 10th.

For the first jump, judges agreed the start should be higher on the ramp for longer jumps, feeling that Friday's jumps could be improved. For the second jump Saturday, however, the start was moved down so distances were slightly less.

Colby said the moving of the start did nothing to clutter the minds of the jumpers, "although they would have preferred a higher start."

The women will now head for Calgary, Canada, for another two-day summer event.

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