Canada’s ski jumping team, featuring Abi Strate, is gearing up for the Milano-Cortina Winter Games with high expectations after their recent success. Strate, a key member of the team, played a crucial role in Canada’s surprising bronze medal win at Beijing 2022. Alongside her, fellow Calgarians Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Natalie Eiliers, and Nicole Maurer have also secured spots on the Olympic team.
Reflecting on her selection for the 2026 Olympic team, Strate expressed her excitement, noting the rapid passage of time leading up to the upcoming Games in Italy. Following an impressive summer jumping season and continued success on snow, including her first World Cup victory, Strate remains optimistic about her prospects at the Winter Olympics.
Despite achieving her long-awaited gold medal in Germany earlier this year, Strate acknowledges that her ultimate goals are yet to be fulfilled. This will be Strate’s second Olympic appearance, offering her the first opportunity to experience the full atmosphere of the Games with spectators and family present.
While Strate looks forward to the return of fans at the Games, her teammate Alexandra Loutitt will unfortunately miss out on competing at Milano Cortina 2026 due to a knee injury. Strate remains hopeful about their future in the sport, especially with the potential introduction of a two-person team event at the next Olympics.
In a disappointing turn of events, the mixed team that secured bronze in 2022 will not be able to defend their title in Milano-Cortina, as Canada lacks the necessary male jumpers to form a mixed team. Boyd-Clowes, Eilers, and Maurer will represent Canada in the women’s events, competing in both normal hill and large hill competitions.
Boyd-Clowes, returning for his fifth Olympics, has made a comeback after a hiatus from ski jumping. Eilers, recovering from a knee injury, is back in competition, while Maurer has shown consistent performance on the World Cup circuit this season.