OBERSTDORF, Ger.— Canada’s Abigail Strate launched into the New Year with her first career World Cup ski jumping victory.
The 24-year-old claimed gold on the large hill in Oberstdorf, Germany, topping the podium with 268.2 points to start 2026 with a bang.
“This has been my dream since I can remember. I didn’t know if it would ever happen, but I have always been chasing it. I frickin’ did it,” said Strate, who was second in Oberstdorf two years ago.
“The German hills seem to agree with me. The first training jump today I was third. I had zero problems. The inrun is very important to me and this one is just perfect for me to find that comfortable position.”
After a seventh-place finish on Wednesday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Strate credited the support and connection with her Slovenian-based coaching team for leading her to the eighth World Cup podium of her career, and her third of the season. The colourful Calgarian also rocketed to two silver medals earlier this season in big hill jumping in Lillehammer and Poland. The women’s large hill event will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Games.
“Today was a bit surprising for me. I think I have been struggling a bit this winter to be as relaxed because I likely felt a bit of pressure, especially after the two early season podiums, and was chasing it rather than being present in the jumps,” added Strate. “The coaches and I had made a plan that maybe we’d go back to training and find the good jumps, but just being connected with them and talking things through with the coaches completely chilled me out today.”
Strate topped China’s Ping Zeng by 10.5 points. Zeng landed in second with 257.7 points. Germany’s Selina Freitag was third at 257.3.
The Canuck carried a sizeable 15-point lead into the final round with the elite 20 after posting the jump of the day, covering 136 metres and chalking up 146.1 points in her first attempt.
“The first round was insanely good. It was one of those jumps where everything came together,” added Strate. “I had been struggling in my inrun position, but we made a plan to think about it less. I hit the take-off perfectly. I didn’t do anything crazy or stressful in the air and flew it down there.
“I was in a bubble today. I didn’t even realize what was going on. I’ve never led a World Cup before. I never had such a lead in a World Cup, but I felt really comfortable in that position. I like it up there.”
The gold-medal breakthrough also solidified Strate fifth place in the unique Two Hills Tournament. Results were accumulated over the last two events over the holiday season in Germany.
“I wasn’t really focused too much on the overall, but I only ended up three points away from third. In hindsight, I wish I was a bit better yesterday, but this tournament is cool. It has been a huge week of jumping for me. I’m happy with how my body and mind was able to recover and focus.”
A certified beekeeper, Strate has been buzzing throughout the critical Olympic season, consistently flying with the world’s best while piling up distance and style points – the key ingredients for podium success in ski jumping.
The talented graphic designer’s dream season took flight with a standout summer on the Grand Prix circuit, finishing on the podium in all five Grand Prix events she entered, including victories in Courchevel, France, and at the 2026 Olympic venue in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
“It’s a completely different ballpark in the winter. The winter is the heavy hitter,” said Strate. “Summer victories are great, but to do this in the winter where it really matters is cool. I had been thinking about medals all summer and maybe I was losing the relaxed feeling I had in my jumps. To be able to have that relaxed and comfortable feeling now, a month away from the Games, makes me want to just keep going for it.”
Calgary’s Nicole Maurer did not earn a spot among the group of 30 on Thursday, qualifying in 39h spot. Natalie Eilers, who also hails from the Stampede City, qualified 61st.
The top men’s leapers in the world, including Canada’s Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, were battling it out at the prestigious Four Hills Tournament on Thursday. Boyd-Clowes continued his comeback to elite ski jumping with a 30th place finish (201 points) on the large hill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Slovenia’s Domen Prevc won the competition Thursday with 303.1 points.
Complete World Cup Ski Jumping Results
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.
