March 02, 2014 (Rasnov, Romania) – In her first World Cup event after debuting her sport in the Olympic Winter Games, Jessica Jerome leaped to a 2nd-place finish Sunday at the brand new ski jump facility in Rasnov, Romania.

It was Jerome’s second World Cup podium finish in two years. She improved Sunday after a 15th-place finish on Saturday in challenging wind conditions.

Women's podium (l-r) Jerome 2nd, Takanashi 1st, Insam 3rd © FIS

“I am happy. Technically speaking, my jumping has been good. I’ve made good progress, but it just hasn’t all lined up for me until today (Sunday),” said Jerome, who put up jumps of 89 and 90.5 meters to snag the podium spot.

Japan’s Sara Takanashi won both Rasnov events, increasing her season total to 12 wins and further solidifying the overall World Cup title.

“The conditions were very inconsistent both days and jumpers were either going to be unlucky or lucky. I was unlucky Saturday,” Jerome said. “Fortunately today I was somewhere in the middle of the luck. I got the rhythm of the hill better (Sunday) and I was able to put in two good jumps.”

U.S. teammate Lindsey Van did not compete in Rasnov after suffering possible ligament damage to her left knee during official training on Friday. Van is headed home to Utah for further medical evaluation. Jerome and Van were the only Americans slated to compete in the final four World Cup events of the season.

Jerome now heads to Lillehammer, Norway, for training and then will compete in the large hill event in Oslo on March 8. Oslo is the first of two large hill events set for women this season.

“I’m very excited for large hills. The big hills are just more fun,” Jerome said.

Sunday, March 2, 2014 Normal Hill women’s event, HS 100 Full Results

Saturday, March 1, 2014 Normal Hill women’s event, HS 100 results here.