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Loutitt hopes to inspire a new generation of Indigenous women to try ski jumping Achi-News

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Calgary ski jumper Alexandria Loutitt hopes her latest award will inspire a new generation of Indigenous women to become ski jumpers.

Loutitt was recognized on Wednesday when she was named the Alberta government’s Female Athlete of the Year for 2023.

The award, presented to athletes, coaches and officials who “dedicate themselves to excellence in their craft while representing the best in sport from across the state,” has been presented since 1987.

Loutitt became the first Canadian woman to win a World Cup ski jumping event, when she took gold at the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships. She also won the world junior championships in Whistler, the site where she watched the 2010 Olympics which made her a ski jumper.

Loutitt had an ideal season when she was crowned world champion at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica, Slovenia, the country that has become the new training home for the Canadian ski jumping team following the closure of the ski jumping facilities in WinSport in Calgary.

Loutitt hopes to encourage young women in the community to try ski jumping, especially indigenous women who share her Nihtat Gwich’in roots.

She is hopeful that the strong performance by Canadian women on the world ski jumping circuit will help boost the growth of the sport in Canada.

“Kids need heroes, so I hope and believe (this recognition) has the opportunity to have a positive impact on our community,” Loutitt said. “Our team has done a lot of work this year to become the people that younger athletes would like to be. I feel that the effect we get off the hill is the most important. Anyone can become a good athlete, but a hero, a role model, is something you have to earn. I hope I can be that for Canada.”

“It fills me with great pride to be recognized not only for my results, but also for my unwavering passion and the recognition of my true character,” said Loutitt, who was part of Canada’s medal-winning team bronze at the 2022 Olympics. “To have my name included alongside the best of Alberta athletes who have received this award brings me immense joy.”

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