Ski jumping World Cup returns to Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID — Two years ago, Tate Frantz was competing in his first-ever International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup in Lake Placid. Now, the 19-year-old jumper, currently the highest ranking American on the World Cup circuit at 21st place, has grown both technically and mentally from his early experiences. Frantz expressed his excitement about the opportunity to compete against the world’s top jumpers, saying, "Being in and fighting in the top-10 guys in the world is such a kind of incredible experience in a very different way than the first time I was here. I’m really looking forward to the weekend."

This weekend’s event will be held on the HS 128 large hill at the Olympic Jumping Complex and will feature both men’s and women’s competitions – making it the first time a women’s World Cup event is being hosted in the United States. Women’s ski jumping, which only joined the FIS World Cup tour in the 2011-12 season and made its Olympic debut in 2014, is set to benefit from the increased visibility of the event. Paige Jones, a women’s ski jumper from Park City, Utah, noted the importance of having a World Cup on U.S. soil, adding that the proximity of world-class competitors has driven her ambition and that of many young American jumpers.

The men’s Ski Jumping World Cup returned to Lake Placid in 2023 after a 33-year hiatus. This year, the inclusion of women’s events and a mixed-team competition unites top athletes from both genders, including Olympic medalists and rising stars, as part of the 2024-2025 FIS tour spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. For more details and ticket information, readers are encouraged to visit the event’s website.