Winter sports are in full swing, which makes me happy every time I check Instagram or Twitter for an update from Rigby’s Jessika Jenson or for FIS results around the world. Jenson was one of six Americans in South Korea last week for the big air test event for the 2018 Winter Olympics. She placed 22nd and three of her teammates advanced to the finals, with Julia Marino taking second.
The Medal Stand: Jenson competes at Olympic test event
Snowboarders from 22 nations descended on Alpensia Resort, South Korea, over the weekend for the 2018 Olympic Test Event for big air, and Rigby’s Jessika Jenson was among them.
The 2014 U.S. Olympic slopestyle snowboarder, was one of six American women to compete, placing 22nd with an average score of 41.75. Each snowboarder completed two runs and received scores from six judges for each run. The lowest two scores from judges for each run were dropped and the other four were added together and averaged. Whichever run had the highest average score was the one that was used to determine standings for qualifications. The top six snowboarders from qualifications advanced to the finals, including Jenson’s teammates Julia Marino, Jamie Anderson and 16 year-old Hailey Langland. Austria’s Anna Gasser won with an average score of 180.75, Marino placed second (157) and Great Britain’s Katie Ormerod was third (156.75). Langland and Anderson were fourth and fifth, respectively, with average scores of 150.75 and 124.25.
It was the second big air World Cup of the season for nearly all the snowboarders who competed. Through the two competitions, three Americans are in the top 10 of the women’s big air World Cup standings. Langland is second with 1,300 points, Marino is third with 950 and Jenson is in a three-way tie with Switzerland’s Isabel Derungs and Canada’s Brooke Voigt for seventh with 490 points. Gasser leads the standings with 2,000 points.
Coming up locally
The fifth annual Christmas Gift 5k walk/run takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Snake River Landing. The race is sponsored by Bills Bike & Run.
The Santa Claws Fun Run 5k takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday outside Idaho State University’s Reed Gym in Pocatello. Proceeds benefit ISU’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Continue Reading