US announces ski jumping team
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jan. 22, 2014: From left, Jessica Jerome, Sarah Hendrickson and Lindsey Van clown around as they are announced as the U.S. women's ski jumping team at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. They will shortly leave for the Olympics in Sochi. (AP/Deseret News)
World champion Lindsey Van, who fought for women's ski jumping to be included in the Olympics, was nominated to the U.S. team headed to the Sochi Games.
The jumpers were announced Wednesday in Park City, where the team trains. The 29-year-old Van, who won the inaugural 2009 world championships, joins Olympic Trials winner Jessica Jerome, 26, and Sarah Hendrickson, 19 on the team that will debut the sport in Sochi.
"This inaugural Olympic women's ski jumping team has already inspired so many people around the world and will continue to do so for years to come," coach Alan Alborn said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The men's team includes first-time Olympian Nick Fairall, who won the Olympic Trials in Park City in December, as well as Nick Alexander, Peter Frenette and Anders Johnson.
It is Johnson's third Olympics.
"The oldest team member is Nick Alexander, and he's only 24. Taking all this into consideration I feel that we still haven't seen the best jumps from any of our young team members, and I'm looking forward to seeing them step up their game in Sochi and in the years to come," coach Clint Jones said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The U.S Olympic Committee is set to formally name the entire U.S. team for Sochi on Jan. 27.