Canada’s Alexandria Loutitt Writes her Name in the History Books with World Junior Bronze Medal
Zakopane Poland – 47 of the world’s best up-and-coming ski jumpers gathered in Zakopane Poland for the 2022 FIS World Junior Ski Championships. Among the field would be Canada’s Alexandria Loutitt, who would step away from the World Cup circuit to compete. The World Junior Championships gives athletes under the age of 19 the chance to test their abilities, and use the event as a launching pad to the higher levels of competition. The results from the event can often be used as a benchmark and indicator for the future of the sport. Athletes such as Japan’s Sarah Takanashi and Germany’s Katharina Althaus both achieved World Junior’s podiums, and are now amongst the top athletes in the world.
“Many of my regular season competitors were not at the event, so I knew I had the potential for a medal, but knew there was still a chance I could miss the podium.”
Loutitt who was part of the historic 2022 Olympic Bronze Medal Ski Jumping team would start her competition with a first-round jump of 94.0m, placing her in third with 109.8 points, just 8.6 points back from the leader.
“I knew I was in a good spot, so I did what I do for every other competition, deep breathing, and not fixating on jumping, but taking a minute to focus on my breathing, and meditate a little bit.”
In the sport of Ski Jumping, the combined points of the first, and second-round jumps determine the end results. Despite a great first-round jump, Loutitt would need to have another strong performance to maintain her position on the podium.
With a second-round distance of 95.5m and a total of 223.7 points, it would be enough to secure her spot on the podium, and Canada’s first Ski Jumping World Junior medal since Atsuko Tanaka’s second place finish in 2006 (Kranj SLO).
“Were proving that Canada is a Ski Jumping nation, we did it in Beijing, Abi (Abigail Strate) did it this past weekend, and I did it today” said Loutitt referencing Strate’s two top ten finishes at the World Cup in Hinzenbach AUT. “We’re all fighting to prove that despite being underfunded and having so few athletes that we are competitive, that we’re hungry, and that we want to compete.”
It has already been an incredible year for Canadian Ski Jumping. With no year-round training facility in Canada, national team athletes spend over eight months a year living abroad to represent Canada in the sport they love. All six of the national team athletes are largely self-funded, yet have been able to achieve three top ten World Cup finishes this season, multiple top 30 finishes, and an Olympic Bronze medal. Against the odds the teams have been able to compete amongst the best athletes and nations in the world, demonstrating their talent, perseverance, and grit.
“I think it’s important to realize it’s never your last competition until you decide it’s your last competition, there is always going to be another chance for you to prove yourself, and you have to use your failure as fuel to learn from it rather than using it to weigh you down, it can either sink you or help you float.”
Loutitt will head to Oberhof GER. for her final World Cup of the season before heading to Whistler BC. for a Women’s Continental Cup. She will use this event as a preview for next year’s 2023 World Junior Championships which will be held at the same venue.
“I’m happy that Canada is on the podium today, but I know I am capable of better jumping and results, looking to next year I am hungry for gold, and will be looking to stand on the top spot of the podium March 16th-19th at Whistler and at the World Junior/U23 Nordic Ski Championships next year on home soil”.
Slovenia’s Nika Prevc would finish in first with 240.5 points, with her teammate Taja Bodlaj in second.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Nathaniel Mah
Media and Public Relations
Ski Jumping Canada E-mail: nmah@nordiqcanada.ca
