Sarah Hendrickson takes cautious approach to Sochi Olympics

SOCHI, Russia — With women ski jumpers set to make their Olympic debut in two more days, there are still questions about the health of U.S. star Sarah Hendrickson.

The reigning world champion badly injured her knee last summer and was named to the American team without having competed this season.

During training Sunday, she requested a lower starting gate than the other jumpers.

“My coach and I decided,” Hendrickson said of the move. “I still have pain in my knee. There’s no need to jump too far.”

Hendrickson acknowledged that the injury remains “in the back of my head.”

Asked about her medal chances, she responded: “It’s hard to say, because this is ski jumping. The girls did very good jumps at the training. I just want to focus on myself and on my technique.”

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