U.S. Ski Team Welcomes Women Ski Jumpers

At its recent biennial convention, International Ski Federation (FIS) delegates voted to add women's ski jumping to the 2009 World Nordic Ski Championships. The US Ski Team is wasting no time in filling a women’s squad of jumpers. Nominations of five women have been made with the formal naming of the team members to come later this summer. Casey Colby has been selected to be the women’s coach. The nominated women are Brenna Ellis, Abby Hughes, Jessica Jerome, Alissa Johnson, and Lindsey Van.

The addition of women jumping to the Nordic Ski Championships is mandatory before possible inclusion in the Olympics. Then, should they be so inclined, officials of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics must accept the women's jumping and then seek final approval for competition of the International Olympic Committee.

Lake Placid Ski Jump Photo © Mike Doyle