Strate tops podium in Oberstdorf, Prevc secures third Two Nights title

Abigail Strate (CAN) kicked off 2026 in spectacular fashion, claiming her first World Cup victory as she topped the podium in Oberstdorf, Germany, on New Year’s Day. Zeng Ping (CHN) secured a historic second place for China, while Selina Freitag (GER) rounded out the podium in third. Nika Prevc (SLO) finished fourth but still managed to claim her third overall Two Nights title. 

Prevc, who won the first stop of the Two Nights Tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Wednesday, had a disappointing start in Oberstdorf. Battling with tricky wind conditions, the 20-year-old Slovenian traveled 105.5m for 105.4 points, leaving her in 17th place after the opening round - 14.7 points behind Strate.

The 20-year-old Slovenian made up ground in the final round, however, soaring to 128.5m and 151.2 points for a total of 256.6 points, clawing her way back to fourth place to secure her third overall Two Nights Tour title in a dramatic finish.

"I'm very satisfied with the (overall) win", Prevc said. "Four out of five jumps (on the tour) were really good. I'm a little bit sad that I was too nervous in the first round (today), but the second round was really good. I can go home happy."

'Childhood dream' comes true for Strate

Strate, meanwhile, began her quest for victory with a superb first jump, where she traveled 136.0m and earned 146.1 points, a massive 30 points clear of Nika Vodan (SLO), who sat in second after the opening round. Strate held her nerve in the second round and jumped to 116m and 122.1 points for a combined total of 268.2 points. 

"(I feel) really overwhelmed and happy," Strate said. "I couldn't have ended it any better today. The first jump especially gave a really good feeling. The second was a little late, but still it was enough to take the win. (This is) a childhood dream (come true). I will soak this one in."

Zeng thinks ahead: 'maybe number one next'?

Zeng climbed up from ninth after the opening round (122.5 points) to second place thanks to an impressive second-round jump (126.5m and 135.2 points) and a combined total of 257.7 points. "I feel really happy", Zeng said. "This is my first time (on the podium). I (already) think about next time, maybe then I will be one (in first place)."

Freitag moved up from fourth to third after the second round (257.3), celebrating her 16th career World Cup podium and her second-ever top three finish on German snow. "I'm really satisfied, it wasn't that easy with the wind conditions", Freitag said. "Finishing second (overall) in the Two Nights Tour... I'm just so proud of myself."

Sara Takanashi (JPN) rounded out the top five, while Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) couldn't get further than eighth place.

Oberstdorf native Katharina Schmid (GER), who will retire after the 2025/26 season, finished in eleventh. 

How the Two Nights Tour works

A 64-strong field had taken to the hill earlier in the day for qualification, with the top 30 athletes qualifying for the first round.

Unlike other World Cup events, those progressing were then placed into 15 duels, with the top ranked athlete, facing the lowest ranked qualifier, and so on throughout the field. 

The 15 winners would progress, together with five ‘lucky losers’ who recorded the highest points score, despite defeat to their respective opponents.

Totals achieved in the first round would then be added to a more traditional second round to determine the podium places.

The points achieved in the first leg of the ‘Two Nights Tour’ would then be added to those achieved in Oberstdorf, to declare an overall winner.