ZAO, Jpn.—Canada’s Alex Loutitt and Abigail Strate landed just shy of the podium in a World Cup Super Team ski jumping competition on Saturday in Zao, Japan.
Canada’s lady leapers racked up a total of 614.3 points. Each athlete took three jumps off the normal sized hill.
“Our team had a very solid performance today. Alex was able to show that she can do three high level jumps in a row, Abi has been struggling a bit this season with different challenges but did a great job,” said Janko Zwitter, head coach, Canadian Ski Jumping Team. “She was late at the takeoff in her last jump but stuck to the plan that we made before the competition, so overall was very good.”
The Canadian duo finished just over 33 points behind the dominant German women who won gold with 647.4 points. Norway edged out the Austrians for the silver. The Norwegians chalked up 643.2 points, while Team Austria finished with a total of 643.1 points.
Loutitt and Strate made history together one year ago, becoming the first Canadians ever to win a medal in the Super Team format when they soared to the silver medal in Zao.
“There were no medals this year, but it was sure a pleasure to fight together,” said the 23-year-old Strate, who recently completed her graphic design diploma at the Toronto Film School while training and competing in Europe.
The Super Team event included 13 countries. Each nation has two athletes who all take two jumps. The top eight nations after the second round take one more jump each.
The Canucks were in the fight for the medals throughout the competition, sitting in fourth place heading into the final round of jumps while battling with the world’s powerhouses in the sport.
A model of resiliency on and off the field off play throughout their young careers, the two colourful Calgarians have been on a roll since making history at the 2022 Olympics when they celebrated the country’s first-ever medal the sport, taking the bronze in the team event. They combined for 10 podium finishes last season alone.
Battling her way to get back onto a winning flight path this season, Loutitt celebrated her second-career win in Sapporo one week ago.
“This year has been really difficult, but it has taught me an important lesson about the things I need to do in the long term,” said the 20-year-old following the Sapporo podium ceremony. “I’ve been working on putting myself first before my sport. It was very clear the sport (results) started getting better once I did that so those two go hand in hand. I have been really focused on enjoying the jumping.”
The reigning senior and junior World Champion was eighth in Friday’s individual competition after finishing second in the qualifying round. Strate was 17th in the normal hill leap, while Nicole Maurer landed in 25th.
Canada’s ski jumpers have maintained a tight unit, supporting each other while facing headwinds in the past with the closure of their home training centre in Calgary.
All four of the women’s team members have worked hard doing their jobs to find success as a nation. Strate, a certified bee keeper, recently drew 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. It feels very wholesome to land and ski into the team waiting for me at the bottom,” said Strate, who takes a peek down at a bee sticker on her right ski prior to each jump to bring her a sense of calm and perspective.
“I do think that it is (our secret weapon). That strong support from all of 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 Canadian wingmates will take to the top of the normal hill in Zao one more time on Sunday, putting their team support for one another on full display while competing in the individual event.
Complete Women’s Super Team 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.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Dornan, Communications Advisor
Ski Jumping Canada
Tel: 403-620-8731
Email: hpprchris@shaw.ca