Calgary’s Abigail Strate started 2026 on the perfect note, winning a gold medal at a ski jumping event held Thursday in Oberstdorf, Germany. Strate defeated China’s Ping Zeng, who became the first Chinese ski jumper to make the podium. Selina Freitag of Germany finished third to claim the bronze. “All the hard work pays off in Oberstdorf, Germany,” Ski Jump Canada posted on its Instagram page. “Abigail stands on the top step with an incredible victory.” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted congratulations to Strate on her social media page. “Incredible performance!” Smith posted. “Congratulations to Calgary’s own ski jumper, Abigail Strate, for winning a gold medal at the World Cup.” Strate has previously won silver medals at two other events this season. In early December, she won silver at an event in Wisla, Poland, and another in Norway in late November. Prior to Thursday’s gold, the 24-year-old Strate had won seven career World Cup medals, three silver and four bronze. With the 2026 Winter Olympics just a little over one month away, Strate has her eyes set on big things this year. On her social media page, she posted a graphic of a gold medal, and a single sentence. “Ermmm...New year, new me? 2026!!!!” The 2026 Winter Olympics get underway on Feb. 6.
