Norway’s Sagen soars to sweep at Continental Cup 

September 7, 2007

Lake Placid News and Adirondack Daily Enterprise
By WILL ABRUZZI 

Norway’s Annette Sagen completed her sweep of the FIS Lake Placid Continental Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the Olympic Ski Jump Complex, getting way out in front again on her first jump of 96 meters.

Sagen hit that distance in three of four competitive jumps over two days of competition, and she took the day again despite an 83-meter final launch on Wednesday.

“My first jump was really good, one of my best,” Sagen said. “Technically, the second was not, but I loved this hill the first time I jumped it and still do.”

As was the case on Tuesday, Aug. 28, the wind was somewhat uncooperative on day two, but in the face of a downdraft in the opening round Sagen hit the 96 mark again, giving her an overwhelming lead, and she ended up with 216.5 points overall.

The second longest first-round jump was 86 meters, put up by Wedensday’s runner-up, Canadian Nata de Leeuw, and Sagen’s huge lead from the first round was enough for a repeat trip to the podium.

Austrian Daniela Iraschko, second on Tuesday, retains the overall Continental Cup lead with 436 points, but Sagen, with three wins in four tries, moved up to second place overall with 380 points despite missing the first two meets of the season.

Jenna Mohr of Germany, sixth on Wednesday, stands third overall at 294.

DeLeeuw’s consistent att-empts of 86 meters in both rounds gave her 207 points.

Iraschko touched down at 84.5 and 86 meters for 204 points.

Sagen has yet to be beaten on the 90-meter tower here and has 29 total Continental Cup career victories.

The top American for the second straight day was Jessica Jerome of Park City, Utah, a student at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, who finished fifth. Jerome, seventh midway through the competition after jumping 79 meters, rebounded in the final with the second longest jump of the round at 87.5 meters and grabbed 194.5 points.

The 20-year-old capitalized when the final 12 jumpers of the meet posted a variety of distances ranging from 68.5 to 88 meters.

“It was a combination of the conditions and how people jump in them,” Jerome said. “It’s a crap shoot, but a good jumper has to jump well in all conditions. You never know what will happen. That’s why there are two jumps.”

Jerome is gradually returning to form after a knee injury. “I had a slow start after the injury. I focused on getting the strength back and struggled when I returned. But now I’m working more on the muscle memory returning and it’s getting better each day.”

Avery Ardovino, also of Park City by way of Alabama, placed ninth with 73 and 80 meter jumps for 163 points. Brenna Ellis and Lindsay Van, both of Park City, finished 11th and 12th, respectively.

The tour completed its summer slate Sept. 1 and 2, at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah, site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games ski jump events.