Englund Leads U.S. Women in Russia

CHAIKOVSKY, Russia (Sept. 6, 2015) - The women’s FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix wrapped up Sunday in Chaikovsky with Japan’s Sara Takanashi flying 103.5 meters for back-to-back hill records and wins. For the USA it was a good weekend with Nita Englund (Florence, WI) seventh and Nina Lussi (Lake Placid, NY) in the points for the second straight day at 27th.

 

Englund backed up her sixth from Saturday finishing seventh Sunday. She flew 93.5 and 89.5 meters. Lussi had her first two points-scoring finishes at the World up level. Sunday she soared 80.5 and 79.0 meters.

 

Takanashi remained the dominant jumper with 100.5 meters and a hill record 103.5 meters on her second jump to win by nearly 30 points over teammate Yuki Ito.

 

“I liked the jumps better yesterday, but I am glad that I finally have calmed down enough to focus on my own jumping in competitions,” said Englund. ”It is giving me good confidence for the winter, but I am still struggling with my timing at the takeoff and my landings.

 

“Conditions at both days were very challenging,” said Women’s Ski Jumping U.S.A. International Coach Vasja Bajc. “A bit of wind from all directions, cold weather, slight rain at the end and finishing the comp on Saturday at night  gave the girls many challenges how to fight.”

 

“These were my best World Cup finishes and it felt good to be back on tour again.” said Lussi, who won the national large hill title last month at the Utah Olympic Park. “The venues here in Chaikovsky are amazing and the atmosphere was great. There were a lot of Russian fans out to watch us jump and it was nice to compete alongside the World Cup men. 

 

“I will be continuing on to Almaty and look forward to seeing what Kazakhstan has in store for us,” she added. This is the perfect opportunity for us to check in and clarify what we have left to dial in for the winter.”

 

Englund has been basing her training this summer in Slovenia. “It was a good decision for the summer training and I couldn't be happier taking in the culture and their love of ski jumping.”

 

The tour now heads for Almaty, Kazakhstan for a pair of competitions later this week.