September 15, 2008 (Lillehammer, Norway) – The U.S. Ski Jumping Team’s Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT) hit a high stride in her competition performance this weekend as she finished second for the second time in 24 hours in a Continental Cup competition at the 1994 Olympic jumps in Norway. “It’s two of my best results in my entire life, but in both instances I could have won. I know that it’s possible and that gets me really fired up,” Jerome said. “I had a really good first jump today and on the second jump I missed the takeoff and I knew it right away, but I’m excited.”

The Westminster College student went up against a field of 32 international competitors to repeat her second-place success from Saturday’s competition. Norwegian Line Jahr won the event and Anette Sagen, also of Norway, was third.

“It’s pretty cool to jump here,” Jerome said of the Olympic competition hills. “The facility is great and the air pressure is really fun compared to Park City, which is a super high elevation.” Jerome led teammates Avery Ardovino and Lindsey Van (both Park City, UT) into the top 10, with Ardovino finishing sixth and Van, who’s just returning to competition following a knee injury, in seventh.

The Team now heads to Oberstdorf, Germany for Continental Cups on Sept. 26 and 27. “We have 10 days to train here and hopefully I can work out a few kinks that I’ve been trying to work on and keep it consistent,” Jerome said. “Germany is going to be a totally different hill. I’ve never skied that hill before so hopefully I can figure it out and ski like I’ve been skiing.”

For complete results click here.

Results
1. Line Jahr, Norway, 244.5 (points)
2. Jessica Jerome, Park City, UT, 242.5
3. Anette Sagen, Norway, 238.5
4. Ulrike Graessler, Gremany, 237.0
5. Jenna Mohr, Germany, 221.0
6. Avery Ardovino, Park City, UT, 217.0
7. Lindsey Van, Park City, UT, 215.5
8. Maja Vtic, Slovenia, 214.5
9. Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, Austria, 212.5
10. Lisa Demetz, Italy, 206.5
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11. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT, 200.0
20. Abby Hughes, Park City, UT, 178.5