American Van 5th, 4th in Continental Cups

Veteran Lindsey Van had two top-five results as she led U.S. women during a three-meets-in-three-days Continental Cup ski-jumping trip to Europe, the first events since the summer after no snow forced four cancellations in Norway last month.
DOBBIACO, Italy — Veteran Lindsey Van had two top-five results as she led U.S. women during a three-meets-in-three-days Continental Cup ski-jumping trip to Europe, the first events since the summer after no snow forced four cancellations in Norway last month.
    Sunday, Van was fifth in Villach, Austria — a competition scheduled for Jan. 20 in Bishofshofen, Austria — with 14-year-old Avery Ardovino 20th. Germany's Ulrike Graessler won the with 232.0 points after jumps of 89 and 92.5 meters; Van went 88.5 and 87 meters for 219.0.
    Monday in Dobbiaco (Toblach), Van was fourth behind Anette Sagen of Norway with Ardovino 18th and Abby Hughes 19th. Tuesday, Sagen won again and Van was top American, finishing 10th, while Ardovino was 13th and Hughes 15th.
    "Avery showed some good stuff in these Continental Cups; she's coming along nicely," said coach Larry Stone, "and I think Lindsey's about to start rolling again." Van was second to Sagen in Continental Cup standings the last two seasons.
    The next women's jumping is set for Feb. 4 at the Junior World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, with the next Continental Cup Feb. 6 in Ljubno, Slovenia, an event pushed back from Jan. 13 at the same site.
    Click here for complete results.