Park City, Utah (January 16, 2024) - Today, U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced the five athletes that will represent the U.S. Ski Jumping Team at the 2024 FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Kulm Bad Mitterndorf/Tauplitz, Austria, Jan. 25-28, 2024.

This year’s FIS Ski Flying World Championships team features four U.S. Ski Jumping Team men’s athletes. This will be the second Ski Flying World Championships for Decker Dean, after competing in Planica, Slovenia, in 2020. Andrew Urlaub, Erik Belshaw and Tate Frantz have earned their first-ever Ski Flying World Championships team nominations.

Belshaw currently has the highest world ranking out of all United States ski jumping athletes, ranked 47th, scoring World Cup points once this season after finishing 24th in the HS142 event in Ruka, Finland. Urlaub and Frantz have scored World Cup points one time each this season, with Urlaub 27th in the HS98 event in Lillehammer, Norway and Frantz 30th in the HS142 event in Ruka.

These four national team athletes will be joined by ski jumping veteran, Kevin Bickner. Bickner represented the United States at the 2018 FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, placing 24th overall in the HS235 World Championship. Bickner is the current national record holder for ski flying, jumping to 244.5 meters in 2017 during the HS225 World Cup in Vikersund, Norway.

“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Ski Flying World Championships in Kulm. Our juniors, Tate and Erik, have shown some really high level jumps the past several weeks, and last weekend they showed those jumps at the World Cup events in Wisla,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Sport Director Anders Johnson. “Additionally, Kevin Bickner has continued to work his way back into good shape after taking a long break after Beijing. Kevin is the U.S. record holder, so he certainly knows how to fly.”

"There is nothing more exhilarating than the Ski Flying World Championships," said USA Nordic CEO Adam Provost. "I know the team is excited about the opportunity and I'm excited to watch them compete against the best in the world."

Fans will be able to watch the 2024 FIS Ski Flying World Championships live on Peacock, with live results also being available on the FIS website.

2024 FIS SKI FLYING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM

(Name, hometown, ski club, birthdate, past World Championship teams)
*Denotes first World Championships team

• Andrew Urlaub* (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; 4/12/2001)
• Decker Dean (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 8/8/2000; 2020)
• Erik Belshaw* (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 8/23/2004)
• Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; Norge Ski Club; 9/23/96; 2018)
• Tate Frantz* (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Educational Foundation; 3/28/2005)

2024 FIS Ski Flying World Championships Schedule
All times ET, subject to change.

Thursday, January 25th

• 8:00 a.m. - FIS Ski Flying World Championships HS235 Qualification - Peacock

Friday, January 26th

• 8:00 a.m. - FIS Ski Flying World Championships Individual HS235 Event (Rounds 1 & 2) - Peacock

Saturday, January 27th

• 8:00 a.m. - FIS Ski Flying World Championships Individual HS235 Event (Rounds 3 & 4) - Peacock

Sunday, January 28th

• 8:00 a.m. - FIS Ski Flying World Championships Team HS235 Event - Peacock

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is mourning the death of Greg Boester, an Olympic ski jumper and longtime sport governance leader. He passed on December 29, 2023 at the age of 55. 

Greg grew up in Denver, learning the sport of ski jumping as a boy on the jumps at Winter Park, Colorado, and later at Steamboat Springs. He was part of a burgeoning population of young ski jumping athletes coming out of Colorado in the 1980s. His perseverance highlighted his career, weathering dramatic evolutionary changes in the sport to a radically new jumping technique. He had an immense passion for the sport throughout his life, and spoke often about how ski jumping was like flying. 

He split his high school studies between home in Denver and the ski jumps at Steamboat Springs to keep up with his training. His steadfast determination earned him a spot in the 1994 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden, and the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. 

After earning degrees from St. Lawrence University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, his business career took off with senior leadership roles at JP Morgan Chase, Citadel, Barclays and his own firm, Praesagio Partners.

He joined the Board of Directors of U.S. Ski & Snowboard (then U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association) in 1996, later becoming vice chairman. He was named a trustee of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation in 2004 and became the Board of Trustees president in 2013. His keen insights, strategic acumen and tireless efforts were instrumental in guiding the organization through pivotal moments. He believed in the power of sport to transform lives and tirelessly advocated for initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for aspiring athletes. While he retired from those roles in 2018, he remained a Trustee and an active and passionate supporter of skiing and snowboarding.

As we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, mentor and friend, U.S. Ski & Snowboard celebrates his legacy and sends its deepest condolences to Greg’s family, community and loved ones. We remember the joy he brought to many lives and the indelible mark he left on the ski and snowboard community.

In lieu of flowers, Greg's family has asked for donations in his honor to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation.

Updated roster below as of Dec. 23, 2023, including alpine, ski jumping, nordic combined and ski cross teams. The previously sent out press release was incomplete. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally nominated the Youth Olympic Winter Games (YOG) alpine, nordic combined, ski jumping and ski cross teams slated to compete Jan. 19 - Feb. 1, 2024 in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The four teams are in addition to the cross country, freestyle, snowboard and freeski teams, which were nominated earlier in the fall.

The 2024 Youth Olympic Games, held every four years, will welcome more than 1,900 athletes from more than 80 National Olympic Committees to the home of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. Historically, the Youth Olympic Games was created by the former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge with a mission to bring together the world’s best young athletes and educate and inspire the next generation of Olympians.

At the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, 96 athletes across 16 sports represented the United States. The games helped catapult the careers of many national team athletes, including 2023 world champion and alpine skier River Radamus, who found success at the Youth Olympic Games in 2016, winning three gold medals. 

“I am very impressed by this group of alpine skiers set to represent the U.S. in Gangwon,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “These alpine skiers have an incredible opportunity with the Youth Olympic Games to put their alpine ski racing to the test among international competitors.” 

There will be five alpine events at the Games including a slalom, giant slalom, super-G, alpine combined and mixed team parallel. Ski cross will feature men's and women's individual ski cross, as well as a mixed team ski cross. 

“We are thrilled to announce this talented group of U18 athletes and look forward to seeing them compete on the Youth Olympic stage," said Alpine Development Director Chip Knight. "It’s going to be an exceptional experience for them, and we hope they can bring home some medals too!” 

The ski jumping and nordic combined teams also show great promise this year. A majority of the nordic combined team will be getting their first taste of international experience and will put their talents to the test on the international stage after a strong season of domestic results. 

“This year’s team is strong and I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform in South Korea," said Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Sport Director Anders Johnson. "Gangwon should be a very exciting event, and I’m looking forward to watching our athletes perform their best and represent our country.”

Nordic combined will include a men’s and women’s individual 4k and 6k race, a mixed team 4x3.3k relay, mixed team normal hill and men’s and women’s individual normal hill. The ski jumping schedule will include individual and mixed team events. 

Full nominations for alpine, nordic combined, ski jumping and ski cross are below. The full roster for cross country, freestyle, snowboard and freeski can be viewed here. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee will officially name the teams in January.  

2024 U.S. Youth Olympic Games Team
(hometown; club; birthdate)

ALPINE

Women

• Annika Hunt (East Burke, VT; Burke Mountain Academy; 11/30/2006)
• Christina Winchell (Stowe, VT; Mount Mansfield Academy; 1/31/2006)
• Nicole Begue (Miami Beach, FL; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 12/19/2006)
• Named, but cannot attend due to injury: Stella Buchheister (Carbondale, CO; Team Summit; 8/20/2006)

Men

• Stewart Bruce (Avon, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/2/2006)
• Jevin Palmquist (Eagan, MN; Team Summit; 3/6/2007)
• Alternate: Jack Schrady (Truckee, CA; Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy; 3/9/2006)

Alpine Staff

• Sam Damon – U.S. Ski & Snowboard Eastern Region Director
• Doug Elsey – Team Summit
• Scott Houser – Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
• Jillian Barile - Mount Mansfield Academy 

SKI JUMPING

WOMEN

• Estella Hassrick (Madison, WI; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / U.S. Ski Jumping Team development team; 5/21/2006) 
• Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard / U.S. Ski Jumping Team; 10/3/2006)

MEN

• Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / U.S. Ski Jumping Team development team; 3/30/2006)
• Sawyer Graves (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 9/30/2008)

SKI JUMPING STAFF

• Karl Denney - Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

NORDIC COMBINED

WOMEN

• Kai McKinnon (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Educational Foundation / U.S. Nordic Combined Team development team; 5/6/2008)
• Ella Wilson (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/4/2008)

MEN

• Anders Giese (Wilmette, IL; Norge Ski Club; 8/6/2008)
• Arthur Tirone (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 2/8/2008)

NORDIC COMBINED STAFF

• Michael Ward - Park City Ski & Snowboard / U.S. Nordic Combined Team domestic coach
   

SKI CROSS

WOMEN

• Morgan Shute (Allendale, NJ; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 9/13/2006)
• Maggie Swain (Kingfield, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 7/10/2006)

MEN

• Walker Robinson (Frisco, CO; Team Summit; 6/27/2006)
• Aiden England (Truckee, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 8/11/2006)

SKI CROSS STAFF

• Rodney Robinson - Team Summit
• Michael Phelan - Carrabassett Valley Academy

HOW TO WATCH
A live stream of the YOG will be at https://olympics.com/en/gangwon-2024/ starting with the Opening Ceremony. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
For the full schedule of events, visit https://olympics.com/en/gangwon-2024/schedule.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard officially announced the 18 athletes that were named to the U.S. Ski Jumping Team for the 2023-24 season.

“I’m really excited about the progress that our athletes have made this summer, building off the great season we had last year,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Sport Director Anders Johnson. “Nearly our entire team recorded new personal bests in the Summer Grand Prix circuit, and you can see that the confidence is building in each athlete daily. Our staff has done an amazing job preparing our team and I feel very confident this will be our best season yet.”

Two-time Olympian and four-time World Championships team member Casey Larson and 2022 Olympian Decker Dean return to lead the men’s team for the 2023-24 season. Women’s ski jumping will be led by two-time World Championships team member Annika Belshaw, who is the only athlete to be named to the U.S. Ski Jumping A Team. 

The 2023-24 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup season is scheduled to kick off with men’s ski jumping competitions in Ruka, Finland from Nov. 24-26. Women’s ski jumping will then start their season the following weekend in Lillehammer, Norway Dec. 1-3. The 2024 FIS Ski Flying World Championships are scheduled for Jan. 25-28 and will be held in Kulm Bad Mitterndorf, Austria. 

2023-24 U.S. Ski Jumping Team

(Hometown; Club; College/University; Birthdate)

A TEAM

Women

• Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 6/13/2002)

B TEAM

Women

• Anna Hoffmann (Madison, WI; Blackhawk Ski Club; University of Utah; 3/28/2000)
• Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/2006)
• Paige Jones (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of North Dakota; 8/30/2002)
• Sam Macuga (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Dartmouth College; 2/17/2001) 

Men

• Andrew Urlaub (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; University of Utah; 04/12/2001)
• Casey Larson (Barrington, IL; Norge Ski Club; University of Utah; 12/16/1998)
• Decker Dean (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 08/08/2000)
• Erik Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 08/23/2004) 

D TEAM

Women

• Adeline Swanson (Woodbury, MN; St. Paul Ski Club; 7/22/2005)
• Estella Hassrick (Madison, WI; Blackhawk Ski Club; 05/21/2006)
• Rachael Haerter (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 11/18/2004)
• Sandra Sproch (Chicago, IL; Norge Ski Club; 11/09/2007)

Men

• Arthur Tirone (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 2/08/2008)
• Isak Nichols (Barrington, IL; Norge Ski Club; 11/6/2006)
• Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/30/2006)
• Maxim Glyvka (Fox River Grove, IL; Norge Ski Club; 3/26/2006)
• Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Educational Foundation; 3/28/2005)

2023-24 Ski Jumping Coaches & Staff

• Chief of Sport: Anouk Patty
• Ski Jumping Program Director: Anders Johnson
• Ski Jumping Head Coach: Tore Sneli
• Women’s Ski Jumping Head Coach: Trevor Edlund
• Men’s & Women’s Ski Jumping Assistant Coach: Espen Røe
• Ski Jumping Press Officer: Riley Elliott 

2023-24 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Schedule

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