Calgary’s Abigail Strate Dominates Summer Grand Prix, Eyes Olympics

Calgary ski jumper Abigail Strate is making headlines as she concludes her most successful summer Grand Prix series to date. Strate has achieved an impressive feat by landing on the podium in every competition, securing two career wins, and now ranks third in the world. This season marks a pivotal moment in her career as she gears up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

“I came in with the mindset with, ‘OK, this is the year,” Strate stated, reflecting on her remarkable performance this summer. “It was a shock at first, and then it kept happening and I was like, ‘OK, we’re on the right track — let’s try to keep this going for winter now!’”

Strate is currently in Calgary, preparing for her final competition before heading overseas for the last summer Grand Prix event and the upcoming World Cups. One of her standout victories took place at Val de Fiemme, the very venue that will host the ski jumping events during the Winter Olympics. “That was like the highest stakes competition of the summer,” Strate expressed, emphasizing the pressure she felt to perform well. “I was really shocked and very happy to win — my whole family came over to watch.”

Despite her recent success, Strate remains grounded. “It’s easy to get a big ego or a lot of confidence from good performances,” she admitted. “But I’m really trying to appreciate it every time, be thankful, and keep working on the process.”

The athlete is determined to maintain focus as she prepares for the Olympics. “In a sport like this, there’s always something to work on,” she explained. “Even when I’m on the podium or winning, I’m like, ‘OK — but what could I have done better?’”

Strate acknowledges the unpredictability of competition, stating, “You never know in the winter who’s going to show up at top level, so there’s still lots of work to do between now and Milan.” Last year proved challenging for her, with a couple of bad crashes that impacted her mindset. However, she now feels rejuvenated and ready to continue her winning streak.

As she looks ahead, Strate is poised to make her mark on the international stage. With her summer season coming to an end and the Winter Olympics on the horizon, all eyes will be on this talented athlete as she strives to turn her dreams into reality.

Stay tuned for further updates as Strate prepares for her next competition and the journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics.