Alex Loutitt Flies into Third Overall in Summer Ski Jumping Grand Prix Series
The two Canadian adrenaline seekers, who were part of the bronze medal-winning Olympic squad in 2022, have been rewriting the ski jumping history books over the last three years. The duo have racked up more than 40, top-10 finishes on the World Cup and summer Grand Prix events in the last 12 months which has included three World Cup winter podium finishes along with Loutitt’s World Championship titles last winter.
KLINGENTHAL, Ger.—Alex Loutitt’s dreams of capping off the summer ski jumping season with a victory came to a crashing halt in Klingenthal, Germany, however, the teen leaper became the first Canadian ever to stand on the overall Grand Prix podium.
Loutitt started off the seven-event summer series with four straight bronze medals. The 19-year-old was hunting down her first victory on Saturday, sitting in top spot after posting the longest jump of the day at 139.9 metres in the opening round, but dropped to 25th spot after falling in her final attempt, finishing with 125.5 points.
“That’s not the way I wanted to end the summer season, but at least there is something positive today (finishing third overall),” said Loutitt on her Instagram account.
Slovenia’s Ema Klinec won the final Grand Prix event of the season with 247.2 points.
Nika Kriznar secured the overall Grand Prix title with 680 points despite finishing off the top step of the podium on Saturday for the first time of the 2023 campaign. The Slovenian was second in Klingenthal with 246.4 points.
Austria’s Jacqueline Seifriedsberger was third in Germany at 211.5 points.
Japan’s Sara Takanashi edged out Loutitt for second in the overall standings at 326 points.
Canada’s Loutitt is not shy to admit that while she enjoys the summer sun, she had never found her mojo on ski jumping towers around the world in year’s past when the flowers are in full bloom during the unique Grand Prix season.
That all changed this year with the reigning junior and senior World Champion consistently in the medal mix with the top fliers in the world, racking up 322 overall points and six, top-10 finishes.
“Most athletes prefer the summer, but I’m not one of those even though I enjoy being outside when it is nice out. I’m just not a summer jumper (traditionally) and tend to perform better in the winter so I’m happy to be performing at this level when it is usually more challenging for me,” said the Calgarian earlier in the season, who added the sport is performed in the summer on an in-run where the tracks are made from porcelain and the grass on the slope is covered with water-soaked plastic.
“I am jumping with more confidence and it feels like it is the first time I have been able to do that in the summer consistently which is really cool.”
She isn’t alone in Canadian colours at the top of the interational women’s ski jumping standings.
Loutitt’s Canadian comrade – Abigail Strate – also had six, top-10 finishes this summer including two fourths, and a fifth. The 22-year-old Calgarian finished sixth overall on the 2023 Grand Prix at 252.
“Overall, for me, the summer is preparation for the winter season which I am looking forward to,” said Strate, who was not able to jump on her second attempt after being flagged for being a bit late and finished 28th.
Calgary’s Nicole Maurer joined her Canadian teammates in the final competition of summer. The 23-year-old placed 38th.
The trio of Canucks will return home this week for a short break before centralizing back in Slovenia to begin final preparations for the 2023-24 World Cup campaign.
Overall Women’s Grand Prix Standings:
Complete Women’s Grand Prix Results – Klingenthal:
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. For more information, please visit skijumpingcanada.com.
