Bogley

[stefan]

Utah woman makes nordic ski history
By John Meyer
The Denver Post

Lindsey Van made nordic ski history today, winning the first-ever gold medal in women's ski jumping at the nordic world championships in Liberec, Czech Republic.

Van's winning jump of 97.5 meters was 4.5 meters better than the second-best jump, which gave Ulrike Graessler of Germany the silver medal. Anette Sagen of Norway claimed bronze.

"This is for everyone," said Van, 24, who is from Park City, Utah. "This is for all the women who have been pushing the sport over the last 10 years and all the women who really did well today. They deserve this too."

Van is part of a group of women who train in Park City on the jumps built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There are a few girls ski jumping in the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club as well.

Despite making its debut in the world championships, women's ski jumping has not been included in the Olympic program. Van is party to a lawsuit in Canada which seeks to force the inclusion of women's jumping at the Vancouver Games next year.

Van prevailed despite a knee that required microfracture surgery last March and limited her training going into this season.

"It's the high point of my career," Van said. "It's a relief to have it over. I am happy all my hard work over the years has paid off, especially in the last year."

[blueeyes]

:2thumbs:

She ROCKS! :rockon: