1st Winter
Youth Olympic Games 13-22 January

Canadian Ski Jumper HENRICH makes Olympic history

SEEFELD, Jan 12 - Taylor HENRICH (CAN) created Olympic history on Thursday when she became the first woman to take part in Ski Jumping at an Olympic level during the first Official Training at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

Women's Ski Jumping has never before featured at an Olympic Winter Games, and when asked if she felt herself to be a trailblazer after completing the first jump on the Small Hill at Seefeld Arena, 16-year-old HENRICH smiled before replying.

"Well, a little bit, I guess."

The teenager from Calgary in Canada started Ski Jumping when she was eight years old at a summer camp at Canada Olympic Park.

"I was watching it on TV with my mom, and she asked if I wanted to try it."

"I said 'Sure, that looks awesome'."

"I was a little scared at first but then I enjoyed it and discovered I really like the thrill."

HENRICH is already familiar with the Small Hill at Seefeld and was pleased with her first jump on Thursday, with a speed of 83.2 km/h and a distance of 72 m.

"It was quite smooth for a first jump of the day," she said.

"I trained here last year for three days just before the World Junior Championships in Estonia in January 2011, so I already know it a little."

"Today went well, but there's definitely stuff I can improve."

She is adamant her plans for the future include more Olympic experiences, and has her sights set on the top prize.

"I definitely want to go to Sochi 2014 [Olympic Winter Games] and win Gold. For sure."

For now, she is focussing on the Women's Individual Competition, which starts on January 14 with Individual Trials.

"I hope to win Gold here, but there's no guarantee," HEINRICH said. "There are girls here who were in the top five at the World Cup so anything can happen."

YIS sco/rm/lm

skijump

Women's Ski Jumper Taylor Henrich of Canada