Nordic Worlds: Van claims historic ski jumping win

American ski jumper Lindsey Van became the first women’s ski jumping world champion today in Liberec, Czech Republic.

The Park City, Utah native was fourth after her first jump then landed a huge 97.5 meter second jump for the win. German Ulrike Graessler finished second followed by Norway’s Anette Sagen in third.

“This is for everyone. This is for all the women who have been pushing the sport over the last 10 years and all the women who really did well today. They deserve this too,” Van said. “It’s the high point of my career. It’s a relief to have it over. I am happy all my hard work over the years has paid off, especially in the last year.”

Americans Jessica Jerome (6th) and Alissa Johnson (20th) also grabbed top-20 results in the historic contest.

“I think this is great for the Team as well. I want to share this with them, too. Jessica did well, Alissa did well and it’s awesome for Sarah to be here competing. They deserve this, too,” Van said. “They deserve what our sport is headed toward. I’m glad I could do this for our Team and for our country. I thank everyone at home for all the support.”

Van’s achievement marks the first gold medal ever won by an American ski jumper – male or female. The last U.S. athlete to medal in ski jumping was Anders Haugen in 1924 when he took bronze in Chamonix.

“I am proud of this. It means a lot to me to be my sport’s first World Champion and have the first gold medal in ski jumping for our country,” Van said. “That’s something nobody has ever done and I did it.”

Got to UniversalSports.com for highlights from the Nordic World Championships.

American ski jumper Lindsey Van became the first women’s ski jumping world champion today in Liberec, Czech Republic.

The Park City, Utah native was fourth after her first jump then landed a huge 97.5 meter second jump for the win. German Ulrike Graessler finished second followed by Norway’s Anette Sagen in third.

“This is for everyone. This is for all the women who have been pushing the sport over the last 10 years and all the women who really did well today. They deserve this too,” Van said. “It’s the high point of my career. It’s a relief to have it over. I am happy all my hard work over the years has paid off, especially in the last year.”

Americans Jessica Jerome (6th) and Alissa Johnson (20th) also grabbed top-20 results in the historic contest.

“I think this is great for the Team as well. I want to share this with them, too. Jessica did well, Alissa did well and it’s awesome for Sarah to be here competing. They deserve this, too,” Van said. “They deserve what our sport is headed toward. I’m glad I could do this for our Team and for our country. I thank everyone at home for all the support.”

Van’s achievement marks the first gold medal ever won by an American ski jumper – male or female. The last U.S. athlete to medal in ski jumping was Anders Haugen in 1924 when he took bronze in Chamonix.

“I am proud of this. It means a lot to me to be my sport’s first World Champion and have the first gold medal in ski jumping for our country,” Van said. “That’s something nobody has ever done and I did it.”

Got to UniversalSports.com for highlights from the Nordic World Championships.