December 13, 2008 (Park City, Utah) – The U.S. Ski Team’s Lindsey Van (Park City, UT) recorded her best finish since February, finishing second and narrowly missing the win in the Visa Women’s International Continental Cup ski jumping meet in Park City on Friday. Germany’s Anna Haefele picked up her first win. Canada’s top finisher was Nata De Leeuw in 7th. It was the first of two separate Continental Cup competitions as forecasts of heavy snow on the weekend forced FIS officials to compact the schedule.

The second competition saw Canada’s de Leeuw place second with 237 points against Haefele’s second straight win under a full moon on Friday night at the Utah Olympic Park. Germany’s Ulrike Graessler, who won the fall Continental Cup tour, was third in 236. Van finished with 230.0 points in fifth. Canada’s Atsuko Tanaka tied for 9th.

Complete results can be found here.

Results (brief)

Continental Cup # 1
1. Anna Haefele (Ger) 226.5
2. Lindsey Van (USA) 223.0
3. Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (Aut) 222.5
4. Anette Sagen (Nor) 221.5
5. Ulrike Graessler (Ger) 219.0

6. Alissa Johnson (USA) 214.0
7. Nata De Leeuw (Can) 212.0
11. Atusko Tanaka (Can)204.0
14. Jessica Jerome (USA) 203.5
T16. Sarah Hendrickson (USA) 196.0
17. Katie Willis (Can) 183.0
22. Abby Hughes (USA) 175.0
23. Avery Ardovino (USA) 174.5
27. Tara Geraghty-Moats (USA) 137.5
28. Taylor Henrich (Can) 131.0
29. Nita Englund (USA) 121.5
30. Nina Lussi (USA) 112.0
31. Karin Friberg (USA) 50.0
32. Charlotte Mitchell (Can) 43.0
33. Danielle Lussi (USA) 27.5
34. Elisabeth Andersson (USA) 26.5

Continental Cup # 2 – (top 30 make second round)

1. Anna Haefele (Ger)240.5 (points)
2. Nata de Leeuw (Can) 237.0
3. Ulrike Graessler (Ger) 236.0
T4. Anette Sagen (Nor) 230.5
T4. Magdalena Schnurr (Ger) 230.5
5. Lindsey Van (USA) 230.0

T9. Atsuko Tanaka (Can) 217.0
T11. Jessica Jerome (USA) 216.5
T13. Sarah Hendrickson (USA) 213.0
16. Alissa Johnson (USA) 210.0
19. Katie Willis (Can) 192.0
23. Abby Hughes (USA) 180.0
25. Nita Englund (USA) 174.0
26. Avery Ardovino (USA) 167.0
28. Taylor Henrich (Can) 150.5
30. Karin Friberg (USA) 150.0