(January 7, 2025)
World Cup: Four Hills Tournament, A Strong Finish
The men’s ski jumping team concluded the final two stops of the Four Hills Tournament this week, both held in Austria. The action began in Innsbruck, where Kevin Bickner, Tate Frantz, and Andrew Urlaub all qualified for competition. In the event, Bickner and Frantz delivered strong performances, securing Top-30 finishes in 22nd and 23rd place. Urlaub finished 50th.
The team then moved to Bischofshofen for the grand finale. Frantz set the tone early with an impressive 11th place in qualification, and Bickner and Urlaub also earned spots in the competition. The day ended with a standout showing from the U.S. team, placing two athletes in the Top-15. Frantz secured 13th place, defeating his Knock-Out opponent Keiichi Sato of Japan, while Bickner claimed 14th place, advancing to the final round through the lucky loser pool.These solid performances capped off a strong Four Hills Tournament for the U.S. team. Frantz finished 14th overall in the tournament standings, with Bickner closing in 28th. A promising showing for the team on one of ski jumping’s biggest stages.We will see the men in Zakopane, Poland, January 17-19, next.
Villach, Austria: Belshaw Claims Personal Best Finish
The ladies concluded the Two Nights Tour, with competitions held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf, Germany, before traveling to Villach, Austria. Annika Belshaw, the sole U.S. athlete to qualify on both days, delivered an impressive performance. On Sunday, she placed 31st, and on Monday, she soared to a 17th place finish, achieving a new personal best. We will see the ladies in Sapporo, Japan on January 17-19, next.
