Ski Jumping: Selina Freitag – Filling Big Footsteps

Ski Jumper in Top Form: Selina Freitag – Filling Big Footsteps

As of 19 February 2025, Selina Freitag is showcasing a level of consistency rarely seen in ski jumping. In recent competitions, she has repeatedly demonstrated her quality by finishing in the top 10 – with only one exception – and even secured two second-place finishes behind Nika Prevc in Ljubno. On Sunday in Ljubno, she climbed the podium for the sixth time, and her contributions in both the Mixed Team and Super Team events have already netted her three seasonal wins.

Freitag’s journey is as much about legacy as it is about her own talent. Growing up in a family steeped in ski jumping – with her father Holger having won a World Cup event in 1983 and her older brother Richard Freitag, a former top competitor with eight World Cup wins, two World Championship titles, and an Olympic silver medal – the sport runs in her blood. These experiences have clearly fueled her ambition and performance on the hill.

Despite a challenging previous season in which she missed the podium, her current winter form has reestablished her among Germany’s elite ski jumpers. Off the hill, she has also drawn attention by criticizing the unequal prize money in the sport. Noting that she received a modest prize package for a qualifying victory – in stark contrast to the 3,000 Swiss francs awarded to her male counterparts – her measured, yet pointed remarks have resonated widely, earning support from the German Ski Association and political figures alike.

Looking ahead, coach Heinz Kuttin is confident that it’s only a matter of time before Freitag clinches her first individual World Cup win. With further technical improvements and a growing wealth of experience, the 23-year-old is poised to make her mark in upcoming competitions such as the World Championships in Trondheim.