Park City athletes jump to victories

PARK CITY — The 10th annual North American Springer Tournee wrapped up Sunday at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, with Abby Hughes and Avery Ardovino, both of Park City, each taking top honors in a women's K90 jump and Anders Johnson, also of Park City, sweeping both men's events during the weekend.

The Springer Tournee is an annual summer competition that brings nordic ski clubs together for a weekend of ski jumping and nordic combined competition.

Hughes, an athlete on the U.S. Ski Jumping Team, kicked the weekend of competition off on Friday night with a win in what would be the first of two jumping competitions on the K90 hill with a 90.5-meter jump.

"It gives me a confidence boost going into these summer competitions. I'm just excited to see how everything goes," Hughes said.

Jessica Jerome and Alissa Johnson, also members of the U.S. squad, followed Hughes in second and third place for the day.

According to Hughes it meant a lot for her to be able to win in her hometown and to be a part of a competition she has been involved in since it's inaugural event.

"I was there at the first one and to see it grow so much and to have so many athletes is awesome. I'm thankful for all of the officials who contributes all their time," Hughes said. "A lot of work went into it and it's good that we could put on a good show for them."

The ski jumping competition wrapped up on Sunday with Ardovino winning with a distance of 94.5 meters on the K90.

"It was really great to win this event before heading out to compete in Europe," Ardovino said. "It was a good way to see

where I am at in my competition level and I can take the confidence from this win and build on it in the coming competitions."

Hughes, followed Ardovino in second and Jerome took third in the final jumps.

While Ski Jumping Head Coach Kjell Ivar Magnusson is preparing in Norway for the Team's arrival, teammate Lindsey Van (Park City,) assumed coaching duties in preparation for the Springer Tournee.

"I took myself out of the teammate role and put myself into the coaching role," Van said. "I like it. I've coached for a long time and it's really not that different except that the team is more technically advanced than the kids I've coached in the past."