Top 2015 Jumping/Combined Moments
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 31 2015
As 2015 draws to a close, here's a look at some of the top moments of the year from America's top nordic combined and ski jumping athletes.
Bryan Fletcher soars to a strong jump at World Championships in Falun. (Getty Images-Matthias Hangst)
Bryan Fletcher Battles with Leaders at World Championshps
Bryan Fletcher set himself up for success with a strong jump before skiing to a top five finish in the large hill nordic combined event at February’s FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun. It was a career best major event finish for Fletcher, who fell just 16 seconds short of the podium.
Nita Englund finished third in the world in the FIS Summer Grand Prix series. (Getty Images/Bongarts-Alexander Hassenstein)
Third in World for Nita Englund
Nita Englund put in one of the most impressive performances of her career, taking second in a FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix in the Olympic bid city of Almaty in September. Englund soared 99.0 and 91.5 meters to finish behind Grand Prix leader Sara Takanashi of Japan on the HS106 meter jump. Yuki Ito of Japan was third. She went on to finish third in the Summer Grand Prix against all the top jumpers in the world.
Taylor Fletcher was impressive in Sapporo, skiing onto the podium. (Getty Images/AFP-Jiji Press)
Dramatic Podium for Taylor Fletcher in Sapporo
Brothers Taylor and Bryan Fletcher worked together to move up in a FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Sapporo, Japan in January, with Taylor coming out on the podium in dramatic fashion, finishing third. Bryan grabbed eighth as the USA picked up its first World Cup podium since Taylor was third in Seefeld two years ago.
Taylor Fletcher celebrates his Continental Cup victory at Soldier Hollow. (U.S. Ski Team - Tom Kelly)
Fletcher Wins Utah Continental Cup
American Taylor Fletcher summoned every ounce of energy, cutting off 25 seconds in the last three kilometers to catch tour leader David Pommer of Austria at the finish for a FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup win at Soldier Hollow in December. Fletcher's victory snapped the win streak of Pommer who had been dominant in the previous two races where Fletcher finished third and second, inching his way up to the win and securing a World Cup quota spot for the USA.
Sarah Hendrickson loves the big hill, skiing to the podium at Holmenkollen. (Getty Images/AFP)
Hendrickson Caps Comeback Season with Three Podiums
In March, Sarah Hendrickson capped a strong comeback season soaring to second in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup finale at Holmenkollen in Oslo. Hendrickson flew 128.5 meters on her second jump to finish just behind Japan's Sara Takanashi, wrapping up the season with three straight podium finishes. Although Hendrickson is sitting out the 2015-16 season after she injured her knee during jump training in June, she plans on coming back strong next season.
“My story isn't over. It’s a bummer for me to miss the World Cup tour this season, but I’m fortunate that this is a year without an Olympics or World Championships,” said Hendrickson. “It will be an opportunity for me to have a mental break and focus on coming back next season even stronger for the 2018 Olympics.”
Ben Berend led a breakout weekend for a host of young skiers, finishing strong on the jumps and carrying it over into the cross country. (U.S. Ski Team - Tom Kelly)
Impressive Continental Cup for Young Combined Skiers
The young guns of USA nordic combined put on quite a show at the Utah Olympic Park and Soldier Hollow during December’s FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup. Ben Berend, Ben Loomis and Michael Ward each cracked the top 10, with Berend and Loomis each taking a fourth – just off the podium. It was a real breakout for Berend, who took strong jump finishes each day and held well in cross country. For Loomis, it was a pivotal weekend in working towards securing the Youth Olympic Games team spot. Jasper Good also had a career best weekend, as did Stephen Schumann, who scored his first Continental Cups with top-30 finishes each day.
Nick Alexander, shown here at Springertournee in Oberstdorf, scored his first World Cup points. (Getty Images - Bongarts)
Career First World Cup Points for Alexander
New Hampshire ski jumper Nick Alexander soared to the best finish of his career in February, scoring his first World Cup points in finishing 27th in a FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Willingen. With a towering 138.0 meter first jump, Alexander stood in 23rd position, before soaring 128.0 meters on his second jump and ending up 27th to earn a spot on the World Championship Team for Falun.
Will Rhoads earned a World Championships Team spot with a strong second in the Sapporo Continental Cup. (Getty Images)
Will Rhoads Grabs Second in Continental Cup
Last January, ski jumper Will Rhoads soared to second place in a FIS Continental Cup Ski Jumping event in Sapporo, a career best. The finish secured his spot on the World Championship Team for Falun. Rhoads launched a 135.0 meter first jump to take the lead. He went 126.0 in the second round.