September 28, 2008 (Oberstdorf, Germany) – The U.S. Ski Jumping Team’s Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) pushed her competition up a notch, landing on the podium in third place in a Continental Cup competition Saturday in Germany. She paved the way for three of her teammates to finish in the top 20. It was Van’s first podium performance since an injury sidelined her last season. “It was good to get back up there because it’s been since February, so I’m happy,” Van said. “I’m really trying not to expect much, which is hard to do.”

Van’s teammate Abby Hughes (Park City, UT) was next up for U.S. women in 14th, followed by Avery Ardovino in 16th and Alissa Johnson (both Park City, UT) in 17th. Norwegian Anette Sagen won the event, followed by Ulrike Graessler of Germany in second.

According to Van, whose last podium finish in a Continental Cup was a second place in Breitenberg Germany, her main focus is to regain her consistency – a task which she feels will just take time. “My jumps have been getting better consistently, but in ski jumping you never know what’s going to happen. A lot is based on the wind and the conditions,” Van said. “I was just happy I had a good jump today. I’m looking more at the jumps and how they’re working. It just takes time. I need more jumps and that’s what I am trying to do – get more jumps in various places because that helps get you to a higher level.”

The women’s schedule takes them next to Liberec, Czech Republic, for two Continental Cup competitions at what will become the site of the first World Championships for women’s ski jumping in February. “I’m looking forward to going to try out the new World Championship hill in the next competition. Hopefully I’ll have some good jumps there and get back on the horse,” Van said.
The women jump Oct. 3-4 in the Czech Republic. Full results can be found here.

Results

1. Anette Sagen, Norway, 218.5
2. Ulrike Graessler, Germany, 217.0
3. Lindsey Van, Park City, UT, 209.5
4. Jacqueline Seifriedsberger, Austria, 208.5
5. Magdalena Schnurr, Germany, 207.0
5. Line Jahr, Norway, 207.0
7. Jenna Mohr, Germany, 203.0
8. Maja Vtic, Slovenia, 202.5
9. Izumi Yamada, Japan, 199.5
9. Ayumi Watase, Japan, 199.5

11. Nata de Leeuw, Canada, 198.5
14. Abby Hughes, Park City, UT, 193.5
16. Avery Ardovino, Park City, UT, 186.5
17. Alissa Johnson, Park City, UT, 185.0
21. Katie Willis, Canada, 175.5
23. Silje Sprakehaug, Canada, 175.0
24. Atsuko Tanaka, Canada, 172.0
33. Jessica Jerome, Park City, UT, 77.0