LAKE PLACID, NY — USA Ski Jumping (USASJ) will host a select group of ski jumping coaches from across the United States in Lake Placid from October 6–12 during the 2026 U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined National Championships.
As part of USASJ’s commitment to expand the pool of experienced coaches nationwide, participants will shadow regional and National Team staff, gaining firsthand insight into dryland training, equipment preparation, coaching techniques, and competition-day execution.
“Coaches are the lifeblood of ski jumping,” said Steve McNeil, USASJ Sports Development Director. “Their detailed understanding of the sport ensures athletes progress safely to the highest levels and is critical to the long-term success of local and national programs.”
USASJ CEO Tom Bickner emphasized the importance of the initiative.
“With our National Team coaches and athletes training domestically, we wanted to capitalize on this unique opportunity to share their expertise directly with the coaches who are grooming the next generation of Olympians,” Bickner said.
“Opportunities like this are incredibly valuable,” said Will Rancourt, a Captain and Paramedic with the Lebanon, New Hampshire Fire Department, Army veteran, and ski jumping coach with the Andover Outing Club. To Rancourt, the payoff is huge. “Being able to learn directly from coaches working with athletes at the highest level gives us new perspectives on training, technique, equipment, and competition preparation. It’s more than just watching athletes compete. It’s about building a stronger network of coaches who can learn from one another and raise the level of ski jumping across the United States.”
One of the participating coaches is Zak Hammill, a former ski jumper who grew up in Michigan and now serves as head ski jumping coach for the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA), home of the Karl Eid Ski Jumping Complex.
“Attending U.S. Nationals is an incredible opportunity to learn from the very best. I’m excited to bring that high-level knowledge home to Anchorage to develop our next generation of ski jumpers,” Hammill said. “To me, this is a ‘can’t-miss’ opportunity to ensure Anchorage athletes have the tools and support to reach their full potential.”
Also taking part in the initiative is Nathan Langer, a coach with the Cloquet Ski Club in Minnesota, who sees immense value in the collaborative setting.
“This is a great opportunity to learn best practices, training methods, and techniques directly from National Team coaches,” Langer said. “I can’t wait to bring these ideas back to our club. Northern Minnesota has a strong group of up-and-coming ski jumpers and coaches getting ready to compete at the highest level.”
Also traveling from the Midwest is John Rudie, from Westby, Wisconsin. A heavy equipment operator, Rudie’s daughter came to him one day “out of the blue” and said she wanted to try the sport. After her first jump she was hooked. Despite a recent setback – a broken collarbone during summer training on plastic – she remains determined. As Rudie notes, “She absolutely loves the sport. She can’t wait to get back on the hill.” Rudie is heavily involved in his home club, a “jack of all trades,” a parent-coach who also volunteers his time renovating and preparing the hills for training and competitions.
Ryan Killion, a former ski jumper and current coach in Plymouth, New Hampshire, will also attend the events in Lake Placid. Currently enrolled in the Civil Engineering Technology program at New Hampshire Technical Institute, Killion adjusted his class schedule to participate in the training.
Set against the backdrop of peak fall foliage in the Adirondack Mountains, the U.S. National Championships will provide a world-class competitive setting and valuable learning environment for current and future generations of American ski jumping coaches.
About USA Ski Jumping
USA Ski Jumping is the National Leadership Organization for the original Olympic discipline of ski jumping in the United States. Founded in 2007, USA Ski Jumping is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to supporting, advancing, and unifying the sport of ski jumping at all levels, from grassroots youth development to the highest level of elite international competition.
