Olympic ski jumper Josie Johnson soared to victory about the weekend in the women’s usual hill function at the 2024 Youth Wintertime Video games in Gangwon, South Korea, having dwelling Workforce USA’s initially-at any time medal, a silver, in the occasion.
The 16-year-outdated from Park Town, Utah, credited Taylor Swift with aiding her realize the record-making overall performance.
Johnson landed a 100-meter jump for 99.2 details in the first round and adopted that up with a 107-meter bounce for 108. points in the second spherical for a total of 207.2.
In a put up-soar job interview, Johnson was requested whether she was nervous likely into the jumps understanding she could lastly medal for the U.S. The teenager acknowledged emotion the pressure, but explained she was capable to maintain her nerves by trying to keep her intellect on other matters.
“I was contemplating about Taylor Swift,” Johnson quipped. “Specifically, I was contemplating about her Popularity dance from the Reputation Tour. That is just what I do at times when I’m a bit nervous. I just do some of the dances in my head.”
Anders Johnson, the previous Olympic ski jumper who was just lately tapped at the sporting activities director of Ski Leaping and Nordic Put together, praised Johnson’s “unbelievable” functionality.
“Those were the best two jumps she’s experienced all season, and to do it in an Olympic celebration is simply just remarkable,” Johnson reported. “I couldn’t be more happy of Josie and the total team.”
Slovenia’s Taja Bodlaj took gold in the celebration and Ingvild Synnoeve Midtskogen of Norway arrived in third place for bronze on the medal podium.
The Youth Winter Olympics, for athletes ages 14 to 18, operate as a result of Feb. 1.
