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Steamboat Magazine

Howelsen Hill Hosts First Women’s Nordic Combined Continental Cup in North America

11/13/2018 10:49AM ● By Alesha Damerville

Image from Noah Wetzel

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS- The eyes of the world will once again be upon Howelsen Hill when it hosts the FIS Continental Cup in December and welcomes the First Women’s Nordic Combined Continental Cup in North America to its storied slopes.

The top Nordic combined athletes in the world, including home country favorites, Team USA, will compete in two competitions on December 14 & 15, 2018. This signals the second consecutive year the Continental Cup has soared into Steamboat Springs and the first stop in a two venue US start to the season with Park City, UT, following less than a week later.

“The return of the Continental Cup to Steamboat Springs is a testament to the entire community and the way everyone comes together to produce a top level event and one eagerly anticipated by athletes,” said Kathi Meyer, co-chair of the organizing committee. “Having hosted events for more than a century, it’s only fitting that historic Howelsen Hill would be the site to debut the inaugural Women’s Nordic Combined Continental Cup in North America.”

The two-day competition kicks off on Friday, Dec. 14, with jumping off the HS75, following by an evening cross-country race under the lights. On Saturday, Dec. 15, athletes again soar off the HS75 ski jumps mid- morning, followed by an evening cross-country race through the rodeo stadium.

“What makes the Continental Cup so special is that you are up close with athletes in a way that isn’t possible at many high-caliber events,” explained Todd Wilson, co-chair of the organizing committee and a two-time Olympian. “The Continental Cup is something you don’t want to miss especially with the ladies joining the competition this winter; plus you just might be watching the next World or Olympic champion.”

The Steamboat Springs FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup is a FREE spectator event. Once confirmed, a list of participating countries will be announced in early December; however, the organizing committee expects approximately 60 men and 20 women competitors from roughly 15 countries including first-time participants China and Korea.

Owned and operated by the City of Steamboat Springs, Howelsen Hill is North America's oldest operating ski area, sharing the sport since 1915. The historic ski area is home to the largest and most complete natural ski jumping complex in North America, the acclaimed Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), and is the place where many Steamboat Springs kids first strap on skis, including World Champions and Olympic Medalists Johnny Spillane and Todd Lodwick.

The historic ski area, which has produced more Olympians than any other place in North America, features affordable skiing and snowboarding for the entire family across terrain catered toward all abilities and enjoys 13 miles of Nordic, snowshoe and snow bike trails.