USA Nordic Preview: Men’s Ski Jumping – Planica Ski Flying World Cups

USA Nordic Men’s Ski Jumping athletes will be traveling to Planica, Slovenia, this week to compete in the final FIS World Cup events of the 2022/2023 season. Men’s Ski Jumping will compete in three Ski Flying World Cups in Planica, spanning from March 30th to April 2nd.

Athletes Competing in World Cup Circuit Men’s Ski Jumping – Planica, Slovenia: Andrew Urlaub, Casey Larson, Decker Dean, Erik Belshaw

Men’s Ski Jumping Preview

Andrew Urlaub, Casey Larson, Decker Dean and Erik Belshaw will represent the United States at the 2022/2023 FIS Men’s Ski Jumping World Cup final in Planica, Slovenia. Prior to traveling to Planica, all four athletes competed at the Men’s Ski Jumping World Cup events in Lahti, Finland (March 24-26). Competition in Lahti for Men’s Ski Jumping started off with a Team HS130 World Cup on Saturday, March 25th, with Larson, Dean, Urlaub and Belshaw representing the United States. In the first round, Larson jumped to 107.0 meters, with Dean coming in at 106.5 meters, followed by Belshaw going 109.5 meters, and Urlaub adding 114.0 meters. This gave the foursome 390.7 total points, as they were unable to advance to the final round, finishing the day in 9th place.

The first event on Sunday, March 26th, was an HS130 Qualification for Men’s Ski Jumping. Dean recorded the highest finish of the day during qualification, placing 10th overall, after going 122.5 meters for 114.6 points. Belshaw followed in 12th place, as he went 120.0 meters for 112.6 points. Larson was the third and final athlete to qualify for the United States, placing 43rd overall, after putting together a 99.5 meter jump for 77.6 points. Urlaub finished 59th overall in qualification, jumping to 86.0 meters for 45.6 points, as he was unable to qualify.

The Individual HS130 World Cup was held later in the day on Sunday, as Dean, Belshaw and Larson took the hill. Due to inclement weather and wind, the second round of jumping was cancelled, and the first round of the Individual HS130 World Cup was used as the official result. During the first round, Larson went 103.5 meters for 80.1 points, as he ended his day in 42nd place. Dean was able to finish 29th overall, after putting together a 111.5 meter jump for 96.5 points, as he earned World Cup points for the second time this season. Belshaw recorded the highest finish of the day in 26th place, as he jumped to 118.5 meters for 99.4 points, giving him his third World Cup points of the 2022/2023 season.