Canadian ski jumper Abigail Strate makes it 3 World Cup medals in 5 days

Abigail Strate says her face hurts from "smiling all the time." Soon, the Canadian ski jumper might also be sore from the weight of all the medals being placed around her neck.

She made it three podium finishes in five days, collecting 233.6 points for World Cup bronze in the women's normal hill competition on Wednesday in Villach, Austria.

"It feels just as great every time," Strate told Ski Jumping Canada while admitting she is surprised by her recent success. "[A run like this] is euphoric. I'm just trying to soak it all in and enjoy every second."

Nika Prevc of Slovenia topped Wednesday's field of 25 with 262.7 points, followed by Austria's Eva Pinkelnig (236.7).

At the Two Hills Tournament on Saturday in Garmisch, Germany, the Calgary native earned bronze and added silver in nearby Oberstdorf on Monday.

Strate, who finished sixth overall on the 2023 Summer Grand Prix, covered 91 metres in each of Wednesday's two jumps.

In the past, Strate noted she would become nervous if she was in podium position after the opening round, but her mind was clear Wednesday.

"The points were so close within the top 10," she said, "that I knew there was just as much chance for those other girls to have good jumps, too. I had to clear my head and focus on doing my best."

The only other medal in the 22-year-old's eight-year career was last Jan. 23 in Hinterzarten, Germany. The previous three medals were captured on large hills.

A normal hill is usually 90 metres while the large measures 120 feet. Jumps are judged on distance and style.

"I think winning medals on both hills confirms to me the good jumps work anywhere and I just have to continue to hit those good jumps," said Strate, who qualified eighth for Wednesday's competition.

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