January 22, 2014 (Jan. 21) – Reigning World Champion Sarah Hendrickson has successfully returned to ski jump training, five months after sustaining a knee injury during a training jump in Obersdorf, Germany last August.

For the past week, Hendrickson has been jumping the 90-meter hill at Utah Olympic Park in Park City under the direction of Head Coach Alan Alborn and U.S. Ski Team medical staff. Hendrickson underwent knee surgery on August 21 and has since been rehabbing six to eight hours a day with team physical therapists at the U.S. Ski Team Center of Excellence in Park City.

“The feeling of that first jump back was one of the best sensations in the entire world. On the second jump, I let go of the bar and felt completely comfortable. All my nerves simply disappeared. My knee feels very good considering the situation,” said  Hendrickson

“Every day in the gym, I was dreaming about the days when I would be back on the jumps. Now that I have made it to that point, it is weight lifted off my shoulder. I, of course, didn’t do this alone. My medical team, coaches, and all my supporters pushed me to make this possible and I can’t thank them enough,” she added

Head Coach Alborn is pleased with her progress adding, “Sarah has done an outstanding job of taking baby steps every day. She has exceeded everyone’s expectations and continues to do so.”

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association will announce Olympic nominations for the first-ever women’s ski jumping team on Wednesday, Jan. 22.