Canada’s freshly announced ski jumping squad is brimming with optimism as they gear up for the upcoming Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, with Abi Strate at the forefront of their aspirations. The 24-year-old played a crucial role in Canada’s unexpected bronze victory in the mixed team event at Beijing 2022. Following this success, Strate has been steadily progressing and is amazed at how quickly time has passed.
The recently revealed Olympic team, unveiled on Tuesday, includes Calgarians Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Natalie Eilers, and Nicole Maurer, all hailing from Calgary. Both Strate and Boyd-Clowes were instrumental in Canada’s medal-winning performance in Beijing.
In an interview with CBC Sports host Perdita Felicien, Strate shared her feelings upon learning about her selection for the 2026 Olympic team. She expressed her excitement, emphasizing the significance of the Olympic Games and the rapid approach of the event in Italy.
After a successful summer season on the slopes, where Strate consistently reached the podium in all five events she participated in, she continued her winning streak into the winter season. Reflecting on her recent accomplishments, including her first victory, she described the experience as magical and hopes for continued success during the Games.
Strate’s gold medal triumph in Obertsdorf, Germany, on January 1 marked a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her dedication and persistence. Despite this achievement, she acknowledges that her ultimate goals are yet to be achieved, emphasizing her lifelong dream of Olympic participation.
Looking ahead to the Milano-Cortina Games, Strate anticipates a unique experience with the presence of spectators and fans, a stark contrast to the restricted atmosphere of the previous Games in Beijing due to Covid-19 protocols. She eagerly awaits the support of her family, who will witness her ski jumping after a decade.
While Strate eagerly prepares for the Games, her teammate Alexandra Loutitt will unfortunately miss out on competing at Milano Cortina 2026 due to a knee injury sustained during a test event. Strate remains positive about Loutitt’s recovery and emphasizes their shared aspirations for the sport.
In a disappointing turn of events, Canada’s mixed team that achieved bronze in 2022 will not be competing in Milano-Cortina, as the team lacks the required number of male jumpers to qualify. The Canadian squad, comprising Boyd-Clowes, Eilers, and Maurer, will focus on the women’s events, including both normal hill and large hill competitions.
Boyd-Clowes, returning for his fifth Olympics after a hiatus from ski jumping, Eilers making a comeback post-injury, and Maurer consistently ranking in the top-30 on the World Cup circuit, round out the talented Canadian ski jumping team set to take on the challenges at the Winter Games.