December 21, 2009 (Notodden, NOR) – The Visa U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping Team rallied this past weekend in the Women’s Continental Cup (COC) in Notodden, Norway to take three places in the top 10. On Dec. 19, Sarah Hendrickson placed 4th, Alissa Johnson was 6th, and Jessica Jerome 9th. Abby Hughes finished 14th.

All four U.S. jumpers improved their scores from the first Notodden competition to the second. On Dec. 18, Hendrickson was 5th, Jerome 11th, Johnson 13th and Hughes 18th.After six COC comps, 15-year-old Hendrickson is ranked 4th in the world just behind veterans Daniela Iraschko (Aut), Ulrike Graessler (Ger), and Anette Sagen (Nor). Visa Women’s coach Kjell Magnussen said everything is clicking for Hendrickson so far, including her confidence and consistency. The Ladies COC takes a two-week break and starts back up in Baiersbronn, Germany on Saturday, Jan. 2.

Men’s Competition
In the men’s Continental Cup competitions the German Jumping Team was in the groove. On Friday, it was Germany 1-4th, and on Saturday, it was German 1-3 with Anders Fannemel (Nor) was able to squeak onto podium, tieing for third on Friday and tying for fourth on Saturday.

Andrew Bliss (USA/New York Ski Educational Foundation) and Canadians Trevor Morrice and Yukon DeLeeuw (both Altius Nordic Ski Club) jumped consistently each day. The U.S. Jumping Team sent a large contingent of development level jumpers, as they work towards the success of their Nordic Combined team.

Women’s full results on Dec. 18/09 here.
Women’s full results on Dec. 19/09 here.

Men’s full results on Dec. 18/09 here.
Men’s full results on Dec. 19/09 here.