Canadian ski jumper Abigail Strate clinched her second World Cup medal in Sapporo, Japan, on Sunday, securing a silver amidst challenging snow and windy conditions that led to a single round competition without any qualifications. Strate soared 128.5 meters, amassing 129.2 points, while Slovakia’s Nika Prevc claimed first place with a jump of 134.5 meters and Norway’s Heidi Dyhre Traaserud finished third with 124.6 points.
Reflecting on the tough conditions, Strate described the event as “interesting,” noting the heavy snowfall and increasing winds. Despite some frustration with her landing, she emphasized the technical strength of her jump and credited her calm and focused approach for the success.
The 24-year-old athlete had also secured a silver in the large hill event the day before, trailing behind Prevc. Strate’s impressive streak included a bronze in the normal hill competition earlier in the week, marking her third consecutive podium finish at World Cup events.
Expressing her determination, Strate stated, “I gave it my all and left everything on the hill. Achieving three podium finishes in Japan is immensely gratifying. I believe this experience has been the most rewarding in Japan, setting me up well as I head into the final training phase before the Games. The positive energy with the coaches is motivating, and I am eagerly anticipating what lies ahead.”
The athlete also shared her excitement and aspirations for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina in a recent interview with host Perdita Felicien.
