March 23, 2018 (Park City, Utah) – USA Nordic athlete Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL) finished 16th today at the Ski Flying World Cup in Planica, Slovenia. It was the first of two individual events, part of the three day World Cup Ski Jumping Finals that will also include a team event.

Conditions were overcast, with a strong tail wind picking up throughout the competition. Bickner, the only American in today’s event, had a first round jump of 213 meters on the famed Ski Flying hill, placing him in 25th place going into the final round. Bickner’s second round jump of 230 meters was 9th best of the round, moving him up to 16th place and giving Bickner his best finish of the 2017/2018 World Cup season.

It was also Bickner’s 7th result in the top 30 of the 2017/2018 winter season, which is a personal best as well, though the overall World Ranking list will determine whether or not this truly was Bickner’s “best” season. Last year he finished the year ranked 42nd, this year Bickner hopes to finish higher. Bickner’s best individual result came last year when he finished 15th in a Ski Flying World Cup in Vikersund, Norway. He aims to top that on Sunday.

Tomorrow Bickner will join teammates Casey Larson (Barrington, IL), Will Rhodes (Park City, UT), and Michael Glasder (Cary, IL) for the four man team event, the final team event of the season. Sunday the World Cup season will close out with a final individual event and one last chance for Bickner to beat his previous bests.

Results (brief)
1. Kamil Stoch (POL) 455.9 points
2. Johann Andre Forfang (NOR) 452.2 points
3. Stefan Kraft (AUT) 443.0 points

16. Kevin Bickner (USA) 400.9 points