USA Nordic World Champs Weekend Recap

Men’s and Women’s Ski Jumping competed in the Mixed Team HS100 Event at the 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica. Annika Belshaw, Andrew Urlaub, Casey Larson and Paige Jones represented the United States, placing 10th overall.

Belshaw was the first to jump for the United States, as she was able to go 79.0 meters for 93.8 points. Larson followed, notching an 89.0 meter jump for 114.2 points. Jones then jumped to 82.0 meters, carding 93.2 points. Urlaub rounded things off, putting together the longest jump of the day for the team, going 92.0 meters for 111.0 points. The team totaled 412.2 points, placing them 10th overall, as they were unable to advance to the final round.

“It was great to have the boys and girls competing together, the mixed team events are always a lot of fun,” said USA Nordic Men’s and Women’s Ski Jumping Coach, Anders Johnson. “It would have been great to be in the final round, but I’m still proud of the level that the athletes performed at. Overall, it was an ‘ok’ day, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to compete again later this week.”

The Nordic Combined Mixed Team HS100/4x5km Event made it’s World Championships debut in Planica. Annika Malcinski, Alexa Brabec, Ben Loomis and Niklas Malacinski represented the United States, placing 7th overall.

After a delayed start due to inclement weather and unsafe conditions, the athletes took the hill for one round of jumping. Brabec was up first, as she jumped to 69.0 meters for 57.8 points. Niklas Malacinski followed, carding the longest jump of the day for the team, going 93.0 meters for 112.3 points. Loomis was up next, jumping to 89.0 meters for 108.8 points. Annika Malacinski rounded things off, as she went 72.5 meters for 64.8 points, giving the team a total of 343.7 points. This placed them 8th overall and +1:58 back from the 1st place team for the start of the 4x5km race.

Later in the day during the 4x5km, Loomis started things off for the team, as he was able to pass the Slovenian athlete in 7th place, finishing his 5km in 12:46.2. Brabec was next up, as she was able to hold the team’s position, finishing her 2.5km in 7:12.2. Annika Malacinski followed, carding a 7:21.4 2.5km. Niklas Malacinski closed things out, notching the fastest course time of the day for the team, finishing the 5km in 12:41.4, ending the day in 7th place.