February 21, 2015 (Falun, SWE) – Canada’s Taylor Henrich ended up a stellar fifth after qualifying a stunning first at the women’s World Ski Jumping championships yesterday in Falun, Sweden. The USA’s Sarah Hendrickson, the defending champ, followed in 6th while her teammate Jessica Jerome was 9th putting two Americans in the top 10.

Germany’s Carina Vogt took the World Championship title on the normal hill, a year after she won Olympic Gold, with Yuki Ito (JAP) taking home the silver while Daniela Iraschko-Stolz (AUT) placed third for the bronze.

According to Canadian head coach Gregor Linsig a freak cross-wind in mid-flight prevented Henrich from executing a telemark landing which cost her points and likely a medal as he told the Calgary Herald, “It wasn’t her fault. She usually always lands in a telemark. It was just bad luck.” – read more here.

Tailwind Takes its Toll on Hendrickson’s Bid to Repeat Title

A tailwind on her first of two jumps throttled back Sarah Hendrickson, with the defending World Champion finishing sixth. She led two Americans into the top-10, with Jessica Jerome ninth on a very strong second jump. Germany’s Carina Vogt came from behind to take gold. Japan’s Yuki Ito won silver and first-run leader Daniela Iraschko-Stolz took bronze.

Hendrickson came into the event as the defending World Champion. But she also came in knowing the reality that recovery from a horrific crash 18 months earlier was still dictating her comeback. Back-to-back podiums a week ago in Slovenia buoyed her confidence. But a touch of tailwind on her first jump took the wind out of her sails.

“I was on the bar and knew [about the tailwind] immediately,” said Hendrickson, who ended up going 87.0 meters. “I didn’t have a fantastic jump technically, but I had the worst wind of the whole round. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the sport. I’m glad I came back with a strong second jump.”

Hendrickson stood eighth after the first round – one spot ahead of her rival from two years ago, Sara Takanashi of Japan. Austria’s Daniela Iraschko-Stolz held the lead by two points over Germany’s Carina Vogt. Jerome stood 14th.

In the second round, Jerome came down and launched a strong 90.5 meter ride to  move into the lead. Her jump would stand as the fifth best of the second round. Hendrickson came down a few skiers later, soaring out to 90.5 for the fourth best score of the round, putting her into sixth and earning her at least a spot at the prizegiving ceremony Saturday night.

“The second jump felt great,” said Hendrickson. “I cheered. I was very happy. It’s fun to go further! Even if I didn’t win, having a far jump is what I love about ski jumping. That’s what I have to take from today and build on it.”

Jerome, meanwhile, put all the pieces together for her second jump and was thrilled. “The second round, I did what I was supposed to do,” said Jerome. “Obviously, it went four meters farther. So, I¹m happy with the second jump.” It landed her into ninth, putting two Americans in the top-10.

Hendrickson knew defense of her title would be tough. And she has kept a keen focus on the future – World Championships again in two years in Finland and PyeongChang 2018. “My goal is to win gold in Korea. That’s what I’m training for. I don’t train to be 10th. I train to win,” she said. “I haven’t worked as hard as I’ve ever worked before these past 18 months. I kind of thought the fight was over after I made it to Sochi, but I was very very wrong. Mentally and emotionally, I’ve been suffering. The physical is there, but the mental side is a huge part of this sport. I’m actually really happy with my sixth place today.”

The U.S. also put four athletes into the top 18. Nita Englund was 12th with Tara Geraghty-Moats 18th – both making their major event debut. Abby Hughes was 34th in her comeback from double knee surgery last fall.

The women are back in action together with the men on Sunday for a first-ever mixed gender team event. The two-man, two-woman team will be named Saturday.

FIS Ski Jumping Report