Big Weekend for Hendrickson

LJUBNO, Slovenie (Feb. 15, 2015) - Days before the opening of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden, defending World Champion Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) put together back-to-back podiums, finishing third again Sunday in Ljubno. Teammate Nita Englund (Florence, WI) was 10th. Austria’s Daniela Iraschko-Stolz took the win. The Championships open Wednesday with the women’s jump on Friday.

Hendrickson soared 89.0 and 88.0 meters Sunday, finishing third on the first round and having the second highest score on her second jump.

"I'm really happy about my podiums this weekend," said Hendrickson. "I have had such a hard time mentally trusting myself and believing in myself. This just broke down that wall. I still consider myself an underdog going into World Championships and I'm just focusing on the technical side of things. I have to eliminate the pressure and give myself credit for what I have done these past years. I'm beyond excited to jump in front of my parents again and finish this long trip from home strong."

The team now heads to Falun for the World Championships. The events will be streamed live on usskiteam.com, with highlights available on the USSA Network on YouTube.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sarah Hendrickson continued her comeback from a devastating knee injury 18 months ago, taking back-to-back podiums in Ljubno on the eve of the World Championships.
• Her finish boosted her into the top ten in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup standings, just five points behind teammate Nita Englund in ninth.
• Tara Garaghty-Moats was 23rd.
• The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships open Wednesday with the women's HS100 meter individual jump Friday and new mixed gender competition Sunday.

RESULTS
Official Results