Canada’s Alexandria Loutitt wins Gold on Home Snow at the 2023 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships
February 2, 2023, ⎯ Whistler, BC Alexandria Loutitt once again made history today by winning Gold in the women’s ski jumping event at the 2023 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships in Whistler. The victory comes close on the heels of her historic first World Cup victory just over two weeks ago in Zao, Japan.
The rising star in the sport went into the event as one of the favorites to win, but with 48 of the best Junior Women in the world fighting for top honors, it would be no cakewalk.
Loutitt opened her competition with a 100.5m jump/ 129.6 points and put her into first position going into the second round.
“Usually when people think of Canadian Ski Jumping they always think of underdogs,” said Loutitt. “But for this competition, a lot of people were looking at me as a favorite, which is a new feeling, but a nice one as well”.
Loutitt started her season with multiple World Cup top 10 results, building on the historic bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in the Mixed Team event. After just a handful of competitions under her belt this season, the Canadian was able to win her first-ever World Cup, and become the first Canadian Women’s Ski Jumper to do it. With a bronze in the 2022 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships last year in Zakopane Poland, Loutitt would be looking to keep her hot streak going, and challenge for the win.
Heading into the second round she had a lead of 4.6 points over Slovenia’s Nika Prevc, but a strong second-round jump was still needed to secure the win.
“I had a good first-round jump, but I knew I had more in me. This season Igor (Igor Cuznar Ski Jumping Canada’s Assistant Coach) and I have been focusing on what I need to do to have a technically good jump, rather than how far I need to go or what I need to do to win”.
“Before my second jump, I just focused on what I needed to do and took a few deep breaths. It helped a lot seeing my friend Atsuko (Tanaka) at the top of the jump.”
Loutitt did not disappoint, flying 101.5 meters / 131.5 points to propel her onto the top spot of the World Junior Championships podium and add another historic win to her growing list.
“Being able to win here on home snow is so special for me, the 2010 Olympics is where I first saw ski jumping and decided that I wanted to do this sport. So coming here and winning, is so special, and I hope this inspires future Canadian Ski Jumpers to keep pursuing the sport, and chasing the international podium no matter how much adversity they face”.
Loutitt finished her day with 260.7 points, followed by Slovenia’s Nika Prevc with 245.8 points in second place, and Austria’s Julia Muelbacher with 221.1 points in third.
While Loutitt is no stranger to the HS 104 here in Whistler, she rarely has the opportunity to jump it as it is only open for international competitions.
“This could be the last time I get to jump this hill, so I’m happy to come away with the win, and hope that it helps more events to continue here so the jump can be open more.”
After the closing of her home training site at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Loutitt and her teammates were forced to move to Slovenia where she now spends up to 10 months a year living and training alongside her teammates.
“Alex (Loutitt) and Abigail (Strate) have had such an amazing start to their seasons. With two World Cup Podiums, and now a World Junior Championships title the world is starting to see Canada as a true contender in the sport,” said Mike Bodnarchuk, Ski Jumping Canada co-chair. “This season we have had an increase in our funding which has been a huge help and allowed us to further support our athletes. Everything that comes in goes directly to supporting their pursuits on the international stage, and we hope that these results allow our funding to continue to be increased so we are able to ensure the athletes have everything they need to be successful.”
The young Calgarian will head back to Europe to continue her World Cup campaign alongside her fellow teammates. With the 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica Slovenia quickly approaching, Loutitt will be looking to add a senior World Championships medal to her already historic season.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Nathaniel Mah
Communications
Ski Jumping Canada
T: 403-700-4927
Ski Jumping Canada is the governing federation for ski jumping in Canada. It is responsible for the governance of all ski jumping competitions in Canada and for the operation of the national team.
