Canada’s Abigail Strate makes history with gold at the Summer Grand Prix in Courchevel — the nation’s first ski jump victory since 2012.
Historic Gold for Canada’s Ski Jumping
Abigail Strate, a 24-year-old from Calgary, secured her first career international victory Sunday, winning gold at the Summer Grand Prix in Courchevel, France. Competing on the large HS135 hill, Strate scored 108.8 points, surpassing Germany’s Selina Freitag and Japan’s Nozomi Maruyama in a tightly contested event.
Breaking a 13-Year Drought
This triumph marks Canada’s first ski jump victory since Alexandra Pretorius claimed gold in Courchevel back in 2012. Strate’s achievement comes after a bronze medal finish the previous day, capping off a weekend of strong performances. “I’ve never heard the Canadian anthem played for me on the podium before,” Strate said, describing the moment as “overwhelming” and “incredible.”
Tight Margins in the Final Round
Strate edged Freitag by just 0.5 points, while Maruyama finished with 105.5. In the two-round competition, athletes advanced from group stages with scores reset before the final jumps — a format that heightened the suspense.
Canadian Team Results
Alongside Strate, fellow Canadians Alex Loutitt placed eighth and Nicole Maurer finished 17th, demonstrating the growing depth in the nation’s ski jumping program.
Understanding Summer Ski Jumping
Unlike winter events, the summer version uses porcelain tracks for the in-run and water-soaked plastic on the landing slope, allowing for year-round competition. Courchevel is a regular stop on the Summer Grand Prix circuit, attracting top athletes from around the globe.
Looking Ahead
Strate’s win sets the stage for the next Grand Prix stop in Wisla, Poland, starting Saturday. With momentum on her side, she will aim to build on this breakthrough performance ahead of the winter season and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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