Canadian ski jumper Abigail Strate clinched her second World Cup medal in Sapporo, Japan, earning a silver on Sunday. The large hill event was condensed into a single round due to adverse snowy and windy conditions. Strate’s jump spanned 128.5 meters, accumulating 129.2 points.
Nika Prevc from Slovakia secured first place with a jump of 134.5 meters, while Norway’s Heidi Dyhre Traaserud settled for third with 124.6 points. Strate commented on the challenging conditions, mentioning the heavy snowfall and escalating winds during the competition. Despite some landing frustration, she expressed satisfaction with her technically sound jump, attributing her success to remaining calm and focused.
This silver medal follows Strate’s previous silver in the large hill event the day before, where she came second to Prevc. The 24-year-old athlete has now achieved podium finishes in three consecutive World Cup tournaments, including a bronze in the normal hill event earlier in the week.
“I gave it my all and put in maximum effort,” said Strate, reflecting on her performance. “Securing three podium finishes in Japan is immensely gratifying. I feel well-prepared as I head into the final training phase before the Games. The positive energy with the coaching staff is motivating, and I am eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.”