U.S. women win team jumping event in Germany

U.S. women win team jumping event in Germany{mosimage}MEINZERHAGEN, Germany — The American foursome of Avery Ardovino, Abby Hughes, Alissa Johnson and Jessica Jerome ignored light rain Friday and overwhelmed the field to win the first women’s ski jumping team competition of the Continental Cup season by 45 points. A second U.S. team finished sixth among the field of 15 teams.

The U.S. women compiled 916.2 points for their eight jumps on the 68-meter hill to 871.0 for Germany-1 with Norway third (850.2). Hughes and Johnson were the top jumpers in each round (Hughes jumping second on the team and turning in the longest jump of the day, 67 meters in the second round, and Johnson going third) while Jerome, as the team’s anchor, was second-longest in the first round among the 60 jumpers; the 14-year-old Ardovino, who arrived in Germany this week, was third with each of her jumps as leadoff jumper.

“This was a really fun day. We got some outstanding jumping from both of our teams,” said head coach Casey Colby. “A downpour started just as they were warming up, although it let up, for the most part — we still got wet but it was fine by the end. Avery’s just been on fire since she got here, and right off the plane — it’s like her feet haven’t touched the ground. This is a great hill, a perfect hill for her and she’s gaining great confidence …

“And, obviously, the others jumped very well, too. Abby’s been very consistent, Jess had the second-longest jump in each round and Alissa’s been right there with the leaders, too. We don’t jump a lot on a smaller hill like this, so they’ve adapted quickly,” Colby said.

The women’s tour continues Saturday with an individual competition on the K68 hill.

WOMEN’S SKI JUMPING CONTINENTAL CUP
Meinzerhagen, GER – Aug. 11, 2006
HS68 (Jump distances in meters) – Team event
1. USA-1 (Avery Ardovino, Abby Hughes, Alissa Johnson, Jessica Jerome, all Park City, Utah) – 916.2 points
2. Germany-1 – 871.0
3. Norway – 850.2
4. Japan – 835.8
5. Canada – 803.2
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6. USA-2 (Elisabeth Anderson, Eau Claire, Wis.; Karin Friberg, St. Paul, Minn.; Brenna Ellis and Lindsey Van, both Park City, Utah) – 797.1

— USSA