Alex Loutitt Fights for Fourth at World Cup in Japan
ZAO, Jpn.—Canada’s Alex Loutitt found her groove in Japan, ending two weeks of World Cup competition in Asia with a fourth-place finish in the women’s normal hill competition in Zao.
It was the third top-five finish for the 21-year-old Loutitt, and fourth top-10 placing in five competitions that had the world’s best leapers launching off jumps in Zao and Sapporo.
“I always love coming to back to Zao, and Japan. I feel like I learn important things here every year, but for me this year, I learned how to be consistent and it is going to be a game changer for my mental space,” said Loutitt.
Posting the second-best qualifying score for the third time in the last four individual competitions, the 2022 Olympic medallist racked up 226.6 points in her two attempts off the HS102 hill.
The Calgary-born adrenaline seeker was sitting in fifth spot after covering 94 metres in her first flight. She finished four points off the podium after throwing down the third-best jump in the final round where she flew 94.5 metres. Jumps are scored in both distance and style.
Austria’s Jacqueline Seifriedsberger took top spot with a total of 235.4. Norway’s Eirin Maria Kvandal secured the silver medal with 232.5 points, while Slovenia’s Nika Prevc edged out Loutitt for the final spot on the podium with 231.3 points.
Two other Calgarians – Abigail Strate and Nicole Maurer – also suited up on Sunday. Strate, who has struggled to find her top form when she rattled off three straight podium performaces in 2024, also found her jumping legs in Japan. Building on a fifth-place performance with Loutitt in Saturday’s Super Team event, the Graphic Designer landed in 14th on Sunday with 193.3 points. Maurer was not able to advance to the final round with the 30 best jumpers after posting the 38th best score in the opening jump.
Loutitt now sits 10th overall in the overall World Cup standings. The Canadians are sixth best as a nation following their stint in Japan.
Complete Women’s World Cup Results (Normal Hill) – Zao, Japan
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.
