Park City friends, families react to the Utah pioneers in the women's ski jump


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PARK CITY — Sometimes there just aren't words to describe a life-changing event.

As Miranda Van's daughter, Lindsey, along with her teammates, Sarah Hendrickson and Jessica Jerome soared through the air they went down in history.

"I'm just too emotional for this," Miranda Van said when talking about her daughter's event.

The Park City community came to watch these pioneer ski jumpers and cheer them on. From parents, siblings and even twins to former ski jumping to competitors and friends. The three pioneers of the event competing in Sochi, Russia, were cheered on from thousands of miles away in Park City.

"I know her back's hurting her. I know she's hurting," Brandon Van, Lindsey's twin brother said. "I'm just proud of her to get up there and do it."

Brenna Ellis used to compete against the three women who are now on the biggest stage of the world.

"Those three in particular are very good at competing and staying relaxed," Ellis said. "Their jumps looked good. I mean, you can't be upset if you have good jumps."

And while the results didn't turn out the way they had hoped, they're still gold-medal athletes in the eyes of the hometown crowd.

"In front of the whole world I would have been shaking in my boots," Miranda Van said. "She did awesome."

Chuck Heckert was one of the first coaches to train Lindsey Van.

"Sarah, with her injury, she did the best she could," Heckert said. "Lindsay jumped well and Jessica jumped well. I'm very proud of those girls."

With one battle down, family and friends say they'll start working toward getting the International Olympic Committee to add a team competition and a large-hill event just like in the men's ski jump competition.

"I think there'll be more women coming out of the United States, and they've all learned a lot," Lindsay's dad, Barry Van, said. "Let's press on."

This is just the start for women jumping in the Olympics, and these three women from Utah will be remembered for their participation in the event.

"Honestly, they're the pioneers of the sport, they should be remembered," Brandon Van said.

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