Lake Placid recently hosted an exciting FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. It was a fantastic weekend for the USA Ski Jumping team, as they showcased some of their best performances in years at home.
Kevin Bickner and Tate Frantz stood out in the men’s competition, both finishing in the top 20 on consecutive days. This marked a major improvement compared to previous outings. On the women’s side, the team made history by participating in the first-ever Women’s World Cup held in the U.S.
The mixed team event was a highlight for Team USA. Frantz, Bickner, Annika Belshaw, and Josie Johnson achieved an impressive fifth-place finish, the best result for the U.S. in this category since 2012.
Bickner, from Wauconda, Illinois, had a stellar weekend. He secured 13th place on Saturday and followed up with a 14th-place finish on Sunday. These results were the best for an American skier at the Lake Placid World Cup since its return in 2023.
Frantz, a local from Lake Placid and the current top-ranked American jumper, also had a strong showing. He placed 19th on Saturday and improved to 16th on Sunday. “It’s really fun competing with a teammate, especially when we’re so close in points,” Frantz said, reflecting on the competition.
Bickner was pleased with his performances, scoring 240.3 points on Saturday and 244.4 on Sunday. “I had to change my mindset about this hill,” he noted, sharing his journey from placing 43rd last year to his current results.
The weekend saw Norwegian jumper Johann Andre Forfang taking first place on Saturday, while Austrian Daniel Tschofenig claimed the top spot on Sunday.
It was a remarkable day for the U.S. men’s team on Sunday as all seven competitors qualified for the event. Bickner expressed excitement over the team’s strength, saying, “We had a lot of guys score points, and many did well.”
This event also held special meaning for Frantz, as he started his ski jumping career there. With his family cheering him on, he felt pleased with his performance. “I know I can do more, but I’m really happy with today,” he shared after the competition.
On the women’s side, the U.S. team performed well in the inaugural Women’s World Cup event. Slovenia’s Nika Prevc led the competition, winning both days. American competitors Annika Belshaw and Josie Johnson also had impressive outings, with Belshaw achieving her career-best finish of 14th place.
Johnson enjoyed the opportunity to compete in front of family and friends. “It’s so nice that my friends back home in Utah don’t have to wake up at 3 a.m. to watch me,” she said, sharing her excitement about the experience.
In the mixed team event, the U.S. claimed fifth place, finishing ahead of Finland, Poland, and Japan. Germany took the title with a solid performance.
The next challenge for Frantz and Johnson will be the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Lake Placid. Frantz hopes to carry forward the momentum from this weekend, saying he feels more relaxed after competing in the World Cup.
The non-junior men’s team will travel to Sapporo, Japan for the next FIS World Cup, while the women’s team heads to Ljubno, Slovenia. Exciting times are ahead for the U.S. ski jumping community!
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