USA Nordic Sport Nominates Ski Jumping Team Roster For Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USA Nordic have announced nominations for the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team to represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Nominations are to be confirmed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee when it formally announces the U.S. Olympic Team.
Olympians Kevin Bickner and Casey Larson, who competed in the Team Event at PyeongChang in 2018, will return to the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. Bickner is coming off a first-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Ski Jumping Trials in Lake Placid, New York. In the 2018 Games, Bickner finished 18th in the Normal Hill competition and 20th in the Large Hill competition. Larson was 39th in the Normal Hill competition and 53rd in the Large Hill competition at the 2018 Games. First-time Olympian Patrick Gasienica will join them.
The selection process for ski jumping includes results from domestic and international competitions. The winner of the Olympic Trials event in Lake Placid decided the first spot on the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team. Additional spots are selected based on athletes’ World Cup and Continental Cup results during the 2021-22 winter qualification period.
Ski jumping’s action-packed schedule kicks off Saturday, February 5, with the first of three medal events, the Individual Normal Hill competition, followed by the final round on Sunday, February 6. Friday, February 11, hosts the Individual Large Hill, with the final round taking place the following day. Team Ski Jumping will take place on Monday, February 14.
2022 U.S. OLYMPIC SKI JUMPING TEAM
(Name, hometown; birthday; club; past Olympics)`
- Kevin Bickner, Wauconda, Ill.; 9/23/96; Norge Ski Club (Olympics: 2018)
- Casey Larson, Barrington, Ill.; 12/12/98; Norge Ski Club (Olympics: 2018)
- *Patrick Gasienica, Chicago, Ill.; 11/28/98; Norge Ski Club
*Denotes first-time Olympian
Kevin Bickner said “It’s an honor to be named to my second Olympic team and to represent my country again. I’m really excited about the events in China. It took a lot of hard work to get here but it’s far from over. I want to have the best possible results I can and I’m determined to show up to my events. I’m ready to turn some heads.”
Casey Larson added “I’m honored to have the chance to go to my second Olympics in Beijing. In 2018, I was a teenager and was really able to soak up the experience, so this time around hopefully I have a better understanding of what to expect. I want to get the best result possible and my jumping is getting to a place to allow me to do that.”
Patrick Gasienica agreeed “Being an Olympian has been a dream of mine ever since I started ski jumping. To represent my country at the highest level in the world is something I will forever cherish and be proud of. It’s surreal to say that I am headed to Beijing. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity to show the world what I can do. All my hard work has led me on this path, and I’m ready to get to the Games and compete as an American. I want to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey so far and pushed me to be the greatest ski jumper I could be. Let’s go to the Olympics.”
Bine Norcic - Men’s Ski Jumping Team Director concluded “It wasn't an easy selection year. As we all know, this competition is our peak, and we are sure the performance of the selected athletes will be at the highest level.”
