Canada’s newly announced ski jumping team is optimistic about their chances at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Games, with Abi Strate playing a pivotal role. The 24-year-old was part of the Canadian squad that secured a surprising bronze medal in the mixed team event at Beijing 2022. Since then, Strate has been consistently improving, although she admits time has swiftly passed.
The Olympic team, revealed on Tuesday, also includes Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Natalie Eiliers, and Nicole Maurer from Calgary. All four athletes hail from Calgary, with Boyd-Clowes also being part of Canada’s medal-winning team in Beijing.
In an interview with CBC Sports host Perdita Felicien, Strate expressed her elation upon learning about her selection for the 2026 Olympic team. Reflecting on her recent successes, including podium finishes in all five summer jumping events and a significant victory on the snow, Strate described the season as magical and hopes for continued success in the upcoming competition.
Strate highlighted her recent gold-medal win in Obertsdorf, Germany, as a culmination of years of dedication and training. Despite achieving this milestone, she remains focused on her ultimate goals, emphasizing the significance of her journey and the realization of her dreams.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming Winter Games, Strate eagerly anticipates experiencing the full atmosphere of the Olympics, with spectators, fans, and crowds. She emphasized the impact of having her family present to witness her performance after a decade, expressing excitement at the prospect of their support.
While the return of fans to the Games is a positive development, Strate’s teammate Alexandra Loutitt will not be competing due to a knee injury sustained during a test event in Italy. Strate expressed admiration for Loutitt’s resilience and shared their shared aspirations for the future of the sport.
In a disappointing turn, the mixed team that secured bronze in 2022 will not compete in Milano-Cortina as Canada cannot field a mixed team, with Boyd-Clowes being the sole male qualifier. Strate, Eilers, and Maurer will represent Canada in the women’s events, competing in both normal hill and large hill competitions.
Boyd-Clowes returns for his fifth Olympics after a hiatus from ski jumping, Eilers makes a comeback following a knee injury, and Maurer has consistently performed well on the World Cup circuit this season. The team is geared up for the challenges ahead as they prepare to showcase their skills on the world stage.