LAKE PLACID — The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority recently announced the return of Viessmann International Ski and Snowboard Federation Ski Jumping World Cup to the Olympic Jumping Complex for a third straight year.
This year’s event, set for Feb. 6 to 9 on the HS 128 large hill, will include both men’s and women’s competitions, marking the first time a women’s World Cup has taken place in the United States.
“Hosting the first women’s Ski Jumping World Cup in the United States is a historical milestone and a true honor,” said Darcy Rowe Norfolk, Director of Communications and Public Information Officer. “This event represents the tremendous strides women have made in ski jumping, and while there’s more progress to be made, we’re proud to contribute to this groundbreaking chapter in the sport.”
Women’s ski jumping has historically been limited to the highest levels of international competition. While men’s ski jumping was part of the inaugural 1924 Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, women did not compete on the Olympic stage until the 2014 Sochi Games. Women first competed on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup tour during the 2011–12 season when American Sarah Hendrickson claimed the first overall points title.
In 2009, U.S. teammate Lindsey Van, a perennial star of the Continental Cup circuit, won the gold medal in the inaugural women’s ski jumping event at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
The Men’s Ski Jumping World Cup returned to Lake Placid in 2023 after a 33-year hiatus. This year, the addition of women’s events and mixed-team competition will bring together top male and female athletes, including Olympic medalists, Crystal Globe winners, and rising stars. They competed for World Cup points and podium finishes at the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games sites.
The Lake Placid World Cup is part of the 2024-2025 FIS tour, which spans Europe, Asia, and North America. The season opens in November and concludes in Planica, Slovenia, in March. Lake Placid is one of nine venues hosting men’s and women’s competitions. The World Championships are scheduled for February 27 to March 8 in Trondheim, Norway.
Event Highlights
– Dates: Feb. 6 to 9, 2025
– Location: Olympic Jumping Complex, Lake Placid, N.Y.
– Events: Men’s and Women’s Qualification/Individual; Mixed Team
– All events on Large Hill HS 128
– New Additions: Women’s individual competitions and a mixed team event
Athletes to Watch
– Men: Stefan Kraft (Austria), Olympic gold medalist and three-time Crystal Globe winner; Tate Frantz (USA), Lake Placid native, highest-ranked American
– Women: Nika Prevc (Slovenia), 2024 Crystal Globe winner, 19 years old; Alexandria Loutitt (Canada), 2023 World Champion
– U.S. Team Highlights: Erik Belshaw and Annika Belshaw (brother-sister duo)
Other notables: Andrew Urlaub, Kevin Bickner, Paige Jones, Sam Macuga
World Cup Leaders (as of Jan. 21):
– Women: Katharina Schmid (Germany), Nika Prevc (Slovenia), Selina Freitag (Germany)
– Men: Daniel Tschofenig (Austria), Jan Hoerl (Austria), Pius Paschke (Germany)
Schedule Overview
– Thursday, Feb. 6: Women’s training and qualification rounds
– Friday, Feb. 7: Women’s individual competition, men’s official training and qualification, opening ceremonies, and athlete meet and greet
– Saturday, Feb. 8: Men’s and women’s individual competitions, mixed team event
– Sunday, Feb. 9: Men’s individual competition