February 13, 2015 (Park City, UT) – Defending World Champion Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) headlines a team of two men and five women named to represent the USA in the Feb. 18-March 1 FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Falun.

Jessica Jerome © DanCampbellphotography.com

Hendrickson will be joined by newcomers Nita Englund (Florence, WI) and Tara Garaghty-Moats (W. Fairlee, VT) and veterans Jessica Jerome and Abby Hughes (both Park City, UT). Junior Will Rhoads (Park City, UT) will join Olympian Nick Alexander (Lebanon, NH) for the men.

The Championships open in Falun Feb. 18. The entire Championships schedule will be streamed live by the USSA at www.usskiteam.com and will be available on the Live Arena Falun2015 mobile app in America.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Two men and five women ski jumpers were named by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association to compete in the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships Feb. 18-Mar. 1 in Falun, Sweden.
• Returning from a knee injury that impacted her Olympic season, Sarah Hendrickson comes into the event as the defending champion, having won two years ago in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
• Nita Englund, making her first World Championship Team, has led the USA this season with strong results including a career first World Cup podium last weekend in Romania. Joining her is first-time team member Tara Garaghty-Moats, who had a career best top-10 in Romania.
• Veteran Jessica Jerome will be making her fourth World Championships appearance, with Abby Hughes in her third.
• Junior Will Rhoads, who scored a Continental Cup podium last month in Japan, will join Olympian Nick Alexander on the men’s team.
• The schedule will include a new mixed gender team, combining two men and two women.
• Each of the ski jumping events will be streamed live on usskiteam.com.

2015 U.S. World Championship Ski Jumping Team
(Name, hometown, birthdate, USSA club, past World Champs)

Men

• Nick Alexander, Lebanon, NH, 8/24/88, Lebanon Outing Club
• Will Rhoads, Park City, UT, 6/8/95, UOP Sports Clubs

Women

• Nita Englund, Florence, WI, 6/10/92, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Tara Garaghty-Moats, Fairlee, VT, 4/12/93, Lebanon Outing Club
• Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, UT, 8/1/94, Women’s Ski Jumping USA (2009, 2011, 2013)
• Abby Hughes, Park City, UT, 6/21/89, Women’s Ski Jumping USA (2011, 2013)
• Jessica Jerome, Park City, UT, 2/8/87, Women’s Ski Jumping USA (2009, 2011, 2013)

SCHEDULE
FIS Nordic Ski World Championships
Falun, Sweden
Feb. 18 – Opening Ceremony
Feb. 19 – Women’s HS100 ski jumping qualifications
Feb. 20 – Women’s HS100 ski jumping finals
Feb. 20 – Men’s HS100 ski jumping qualifications
Feb. 21 – Men’s HS100 ski jumping finals
Feb. 22 – Mixed gender HS100 ski jumping
Feb. 25 – Men’s HS134 ski jumping qualifications
Feb. 26 – Men’s HS134 ski jumping finals
Feb. 28 – Men’s HS134 team ski jumping

QUOTES
Sarah Hendrickson, defending World Champion
Going into this season I was very nervous about defending my title. Now, I feel like there is very little pressure on me. Since I have had some mediocre results this season, I don’t think I’m seen as a threat. Of course, I am putting in more work and effort than ever to get back on top but I am seeing this year as building year.

Nita Englund, top-ranked U.S. women’s ski jumper
I am so happy about making the World Championship Team. I’m glad to be in the position I am in right now and I hope to keep the momentum going. Our team is a good mix of old and new and there should be some good surprises in Sweden!

Will Rhoads, top-ranked U.S. men’s ski jumper
I am really excited about being named to the 2015 World Championships team. Falun was the venue where I competed in my first ever FIS event, so it will be amazing to go back for the biggest event of my life so far. It is an honor representing the United States and I am looking forward to a great week in Sweden.

Clint Jones, USA Ski Jumping Head Coach
We are pleased with this year’s nominations. I have known Will as an athlete since I coached him at the club level. I am happy to see how much he has grown, and his podium performance at the Continental Cup earlier this season in Sapporo is just a glimpse of things to come. Nick Alexander is also an athlete to keep an eye on. We have seen some great jumps from him in the last year, and it will be exciting to see what he can do in Sweden.

Alan Alborn, Women’s Ski Jumping USA Head Coach
This 2015 World Championship Team represents what the United States has to offer from East to West thanks to many years of hard work from countless volunteers, coaches and families trying to build this sport. I am proud of this team and the diversity, as well as potential, these athletes bring to the table. We are proud of the whole team from our defending World Champion Sarah Hendrickson and all she has over come the last years to our first time World Cup podium finisher Nita Englund.

HELP THE TEAM

The U.S. Ski Team relies solely on the support of the American public. Click here to support the team.