National titles for Fairall, Hendrickson, and Bryan Fletcher

Sarah Hendrickson on her way to a national title in Lake Placid. Women’s Ski Jumping USA

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Sarah Hendrickson flew back into the spotlight over the weekend, capping a strong fall return to competition with her third career national title. Hendrickson won the K95 U.S. Ski Jumping Championship at the Flaming Leaves Festival on the Lake Placid Olympic jump in one of the closest title races in recent history. Trailing Jessica Jerome by a single point after the first round, Hendrickson won by just one point with a strong second jump.

“We really had a high level of competition, with both Jessica and Tara (Geraghty-Moats) in the field, they both represent women’s ski jumping really well, so overall, I’m really happy with the results,” said Henrickson.

Nick Fairall took his second title, winning for the men after breaking a first round tie with Anders Johnson with a stunning 100.5 meter jump. Fairall won the Olympic Trials for ski jumping last December and has had a strong summer jumping season with two top-five FIS results, including a podium, and a top-10 Continental Cup finish.

“It was a very beautiful day for sure, with the weather. It was a tough week training with a lot of wind and adverse conditions but today was excellent. The conditions were fair, for the most part, for everyone. The jury did a good job in controlling the conditions the best they could,” said Fairall. “My jumps were decent. I was able to put two of them together, so I’m pleased with the outcome. I’m just glad to go home with the title.”

Bryan Fletcher added another jewel to his already star-studded Nordic combined career, winning his first national title at the U.S. Nordic Combined Championships also in Lake Placid. Fletcher parlayed a strong jump to take the title win over brother Taylor who won the roller ski. Adam Loomis claimed bronze.

“This is awesome! I’ve been chasing the national title for a while. I think that I’ve been third like four or five times. Every time, including last year, I was really disappointed with my jumping. I would have an amazing (roller ski) race, but still wind up in third place because I was quite a bit back,” said Bryan Fletcher. “I could feel him (fast-approaching brother Taylor) and I could see him on a couple of sections. There were a few places where we would pass each other going opposite directions, and every time he was inching a little bit closer, so that was a little bit nerve-racking. But in the end, even with him chipping away hard, I was getting more excited reaching the finish line and I came in hot.”

MEDALISTS

2014-15 K95 U.S. Ski Jumping Championship
Men’s
Gold: Nick Fairall (Andover, NH)
Silver: Anders Johnson (Park City, UT)
Bronze: Will Rhoads (Park City, UT)

Women’s
Gold: Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT)
Silver: Jessica Jerome (Park City, UT)
Bronze: Tara Geraghty-Moats (West Fairlee, VT)

2014-15 U.S. Nordic Combined Championship
Gold: Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Silver: Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Bronze: Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI)

Release courtesy of USSA