Abigail Strate Flies to Third Straight World Cup Ski Jumping Podium
VILLACH, Aut.— Canadian ski jumper, Abigail Strate, is flying early in 2024. Literally.
The 22-year-old Calgarian won her third World Cup medal in five days on Wednesday, taking the bronze on the women’s normal hill competition in Villach, Austria with a total of 233.6 points.
Strate closed 2023 with her second career podium, claiming the bronze medal on the large hill in Garmisch, Germany. She backed that performance up two days later down the road with a silver in Oberstdorf. The breakthrough performance solidified the 2022 Olympic medallist third place in the unique 2-Hills Tournament that is held annually during the holiday season.
“I am still pretty surprised. It feels just as great every time,” said Strate. “(A run like this) is euphoric. I’m just trying to soak it all in and enjoy every second. My face hurts from smiling all of the time.”
Hills are measured by the average spot where jumpers are expected to land safely, or where the hill flattens. A normal hill is usually 90 metres and the large hill is 120 metres. Jumps are scored on both distance and style.
The only other podium finish in Strate’s eight-year career came nearly one year ago when she won the bronze in Hinterzarten, Germany. All three of Strate’s three previous medals came on large hills.
“I think winning medals on both hills confirms further to me the good jumps work anywhere and I just have to continue to hit those good jumps,” added Strate, who qualified eighth. “I’m just really surprised. The trials weren’t as solid as I would have liked. The landing was a bit icy, and I had to get that out of my head. I was able to adapt and came in clean on the competition rounds, but confirming it on the 90 is more proof and confidence for me.”
The young Canuck also has three, fourth place finishes in her career and finished sixth overall on the 2023 Summer Grand Prix with four top-six finishes.
Strate was in fourth spot after the first jump in both of her previous competitions this week before hunting down a podium finish in her final attempt. On Wednesday, she was third the whole flight, covering 91.0 metres in both jumps.
“It is a different place to be. The past Abi would say if I was in the podium position (after the first round) I’d be very nervous, but my mind was not on that. The points were so close within the top-10 that I knew there was just as much chance for those other girls to have good jumps too. I had to clear my head and focus on doing my best.”
Slovenia’s Nika Prevc finished on top of the podium in Austria with a total of 262.7 points. Austria’s Eva Pinkelnig was second at 236.7 points.
After a challenging start to the season, the podium streak has catapulted Strate – a certified beekeeper who had been studying Graphic Design on-line at Toronto Film School in Canada prior to the holiday break while training and competing in Europe – to seventh overall in the overall World Cup rankings.
“I can’t help but think of where I was a month ago. My mind was beating me that maybe last season was going to be my best, but I kept telling myself I have to get back up there. I have worked so hard for this,” added Strate, who suggested balancing online school with training and competition may have caused additional mental and physical stress. “I worked to beat that thought out of my head and came back after Christmas with a clear plan and promise to myself to be confident and consistent with every jump. I only did one session after Christmas and felt right away that finally this is better. Everything was consistent and my head felt really clear! I’m waking up now feeling fresh mentally and physically. Having this 360 feels incredible, and I’m honestly just really impressed with myself.”
“To now be in the top-10 overall is definitely a nice morale booster. It’s an uplifting position to be in, and really good to have two Canadian flags up there.”
She shares a spot in the top-10 with her Olympic medal-winning teammate, Alex Loutitt. Calgary’s 19-year-old began the season with three podiums of her own, winning two silvers and a bronze. Consistently landing in the top-10, Loutitt sits fifth overall. After qualifying for the official competition Wednesday with the top-40 in ninth spot, Loutitt crashed in her first attempt and did not advance, placing 40th.
Another of Canada’s four women’s leapers, Nicole Maurer, made it into the elite group of 30 for the third strate day. The aspiring 23-year-old astronaut rocketed into 26th spot with a total of 200.7. The final jumper – Natalie Eilers – placed 51st in qualifications and did not advance.
Facility closures at home in Calgary forced a new strategy to relocate Ski Jumping Canada’s national program to Planica, Slovenia two years ago. Living out of suitcases, access to minimal equipment, often seen using hand-me-downs, the small but mighty team of four Canadian women under 25 years old have consistently delivered medals at the elite level of the sport with multiple athletes matching flight paths with the world’s best.
With no queen bee, and all four of the women’s team members working hard and doing their jobs to find success as a nation, Strate has drawn a parallel between a hive and the Canadian women’s ski jump team based in Slovenia.
“We do kind of operate in a hive mindset. The team always surprises me with all of the support, and I am also excited to be that person for my teammates. It feels very wholesome to land and ski into the team waiting for me at the bottom. Alex had an unfortunate day and Natalie didn’t qualify but knowing they are still there for me regardless is very special,” said Strate, who added the team sits fourth overall as a Nation. “I do think that it is (our secret weapon). That support from all the athletes, coaches and support staff gives us an edge. Sport can be fragile, and we have something that is special. I’m not sure there is another team on the World Cup like us. I know if we stick together, we will continue to be unstoppable.”
Strate and her mates in the Canadian hive will be back at the top of the normal hill in Villach on Thursday.
Complete World Cup Ski Jumping Results – Villach, Austria
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.
