Van crowned first female world champion

AMERICA'S Lindsey Van has been crowned the first ever women's ski jumping world champion in Liberec.

Van, 24, produced an impeccable second jump to claim victory with 243 points - four ahead of nearest rival Ulrike Graessler of Germany.

The American was lying fourth after the first round, after a jump of 89 metres, with Graessler leading the way on 93.5m.

But Van soared to 97.5m at the second time of asking - the longest jump of the day by three-and-a-half metres - to claim gold in women's ski jumping's first World Championship outing.

"I had fun on the second jump," Van said. "I really don't remember it. I have no words for it yet."

"It feels pretty good to be the first world champion. But I have to wait for a few days to see what happens. I need to think about it, for sure. But I'm happy right now."

Anette Sagen of Norway took bronze with 238.5 points.

Women's ski jumping is hoping to earn a spot on the Olympic program for Sochi 2014.

As it stands, there will be no female ski jumping event at Vancouver 2010, but a number of elite competitors are taking a discrimination case to the British Columbia Supreme Court.

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