VAL DI FIEMME, Ita.— Abigail Strate’s dream season continued on Thursday with her second victory of the summer, and her career.
The 24-year-old landed on the podium for the fifth time during the Summer Grand Prix season – this time at the Olympic venue in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
Strate jumped onto the top step of the normall hill podium with 258.8 points.
“I’m still kind of overwhelmed with everything going on,” said Strate, who sits third overall in the Summer Grand Prix standings. “It was really good today. I’m so happy.”
Strate’s first win came earlier this summer in Courchevel.
Strate topped a deep international field to once again have the opportunity to hear Oh Canada played at the medal ceremony in the Italian Nordic resort.
“I just can’t believe it. Winning the first ever competition at the new Olympic venues surrounded by the smiles and joy of so many people that I love, my heart could explode,” added Strate.
The talented artist in the air, and also while doing her graphic design profession, edged Slovenia’s Nika Prevc who settled for the silver medal at 253.0 points. Japan’s Yuka Seto finished third with 244.9 points.
Strate’s Olympic medal-winning teammate, Alex Loutitt finished just off the podium in fourth spot at 243.1 points. Nicole Maurer, also from Calgary, was 25th at 213.1.
Strate is no stranger to flying to the international podium in bunches.
She rattled off a string of three consecutive podium performances in 2023-24 – closing out 2023 with a bronze and silver medal before ringing in the 2024 New Year with another bronze. The only other podium finish in Strate’s eight-year career came when she won the bronze in Hinterzarten, Germany in January 2023.
“I’m a summer person for sure. I like the sun and have always liked jumping in the summer. The last time I jumped well in the summer, it carried into the whole year so hopefuflly this is a good omen for me,” said Strate.
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.
Ski jumping 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. A core part of an athlete’s development and season-long competition schedule, summer ski jumping began in 1994 for men. Women began jumping competitively during the summer months in 2012.
