PSC's Ripp Helps Team USA Earn Gold in Nordic

Aidan Ripp was a major player on Tuesday at Mt. Van Hoevenberg enroute to a fourth-place finish in the Men's Team Sprint event at the World University Games, helping Team USA to their first gold medal in the process. 

"It was feeling pretty good for me for the racing this week," said Ripp.  "Still feeling like I can go faster and there's still more in the tank somewhere.  Seems like I might need a little more in coming out of these games to get my form back in shape for the rest of the season," he added.

His torrid pace launched Team USA II to a second-place finish in the Cross-Country portion of the Team Sprint in Nordic Combined.  Along with teammate Henry Johnstone, the USA II duo clawed back from the -2:23 starting order and finished just off the podium.

Nordic Combined is made up of two disciplines – Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Jumping.  In the Team Sprint, Ski Jumping scores from two teammates are tabulated and transferred to the starting order and times behind for the second event, which is Cross-Country.  Those two teammates then rotate on the ski course for a certain amount of laps, and whoever crosses the line first, wins.  There were seven teams vying for a spot atop the podium: two from the USA, two from Japan, one from Poland, one from Ukraine, and one from Kazakhstan. 

His performance hasn't gone unnoticed from fans, teammates, and especially coaches.  "Aidan has had an incredible week in these World University Games," said Paul Smith's College and Team USA Coach Matt Dougherty.  "He has demonstrated his prowess on skis with blistering ski times; even more so he has demonstrated his ability to be a great teammate and serve the greater good." 

Ripp had paced Team USA in the Individual Mass Start event on Sunday, which resulted in silver and bronze medals for his teammates Niklas Malacinski (silver) and Evan Nichols (bronze).  "His selfless work for his teammates and Team USA will be remembered as a truly great achievement," added Dougherty. 

On top of the athletic accolades from Ripp, he is also a 4.0 student who is studying Biology at Paul Smith's College.  The junior from Cloquet, MN looks to continue his impressive career and build upon this year's success at the World University Games.  He also helped Paul Smith's College to individual and team National Championship Trophies at the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) Nationals last season. 

"It's been a great experience – being able to compete for the United States here on home soil at Van Ho and the Lake Placid jumps," proclaimed Ripp.  "This has been a great training facility for me and it's been so exciting to watch as all the venues have come together for the event." 

Those venues have been a major part of what has made these World University Games such a success.  New York State has poured millions into upgrading the various facilities, and Lake Placid has shown a bright and shiny new face to the international community, continuing to cement its legacy as the "Winter Sports Capital of the World."