Magnusson takes helm of U.S. women's jumping

Kjell Ivar Magnusson, head coach of the Norwegian women's ski jumping team for the last three seasons, was named the new U.S. women's jumping head coach, U.S. Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner announced.

PARK CITY, Utah — Kjell Ivar Magnusson, head coach of the Norwegian women's ski jumping team for the last three seasons, was named the new U.S. women's jumping head coach, U.S. Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner announced.
    Magnusson, 56, replaces Larry Stone, longtime U.S. regional and associate national coach who guided the women last winter. Magnusson will be in Park City to oversee preseason training from the first week of June, Bodensteiner said.
    A soccer player in his youth — and not a ski jumper — he became a club coach in Rollag, his hometown, when his son Rune started ski jumping in 1980. He went through three years of coaching certification and, starting in 1990, coached Norwegian star Sigurd Pettersen, who has helped re-energize Norway's jumping program since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
    He was a club coach in Lillehammer from 2000-04 and has been Norwegian women's coach for the past three years as the International Ski Federation elevated women's jumping to the Continental Cup level. It will make its debut at the World Championships level with the 2009 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in the Czech Republic.
    "I'm excited about this change," Magnusson said. "I've watched the American girls and they're the strongest team in the world. I know all the girls, and this should be exciting. These are strong athletes."
    Bodensteiner said he was pleased to get Magnusson as the women's program continues to develop. Women were named to the U.S. Ski Team for the first time last season and six have been nominated for the 2008 ski team. "The team is ready to go to the next level, and they're anxious to start working with him," he said.