Predazzo, Italy – Domen Prevc of Slovenia secured gold in the men’s large hill ski jumping event at the , 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport. Japan’s Ren Nikaido claimed silver, adding to his medal haul at these Games, while Poland’s Kacper Tomasiak took bronze.
Prevc, widely considered the favorite, finished second in the first round behind Nikaido. However, he dramatically reversed the standings in the final round with a soaring jump of 141.5 meters, finishing 6.8 points ahead of the Japanese jumper. The performance ignited enthusiastic cheers from the substantial Slovenian contingent present at the Predazzo Stadium in Val di Fiemme.
The competition unfolded under challenging weather conditions, with a mix of rain and snow falling on the hill. Ski jumpers were acutely aware of the risk of their suits becoming waterlogged, prompting a series of adjustments and countermeasures to maintain optimal performance.
This victory marks a significant moment for the Prevc family. According to reports, the Prevc siblings have collectively won medals at four different Olympic Winter Games, making them the first family in Olympic history to achieve such a feat. Domen’s gold surpasses his brother Peter’s bronze medal from the Sochi 2014 Games.
Nikaido’s silver medal represents his third of the Milano Cortina Games, demonstrating his consistent performance throughout the competition. Tomasiak’s bronze continues his impressive debut season, securing his second medal of the Games and further establishing him as a rising star in the sport.
Prevc’s triumph adds to an already impressive list of accolades. He now holds the Olympic, World, Four Hills, and Ski Flying titles, with a strong possibility of securing the World Cup Crystal Globe. He is also the first Slovenian to win a men’s individual title at the Olympics.
Reflecting on his victory, Prevc described the experience as surreal. I feel like I’m at the cinema watching the guy doing his thing! But now all of these feelings are coming together, its amazing. Before the last jump I just wanted to enjoy it. I think it’s one of the most memorable jumps of my career.
He further emphasized the importance of enjoyment in his success, stating, I said to myself the enjoyment that I have, Here’s why I started ski jumping as a kid – and if you enjoy it and keep trying eventually you can win medals.
Nikaido had initially set the standard in the opening round, achieving a jump of 140 meters for 154 points. Prevc responded with a jump of 138.5 meters, placing him in second, just two points ahead of Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal of Norway. Tomasiak was fourth after the first round with a jump of 133 meters.
The competition also saw notable performances and setbacks for other athletes. Ryoyu Kobayashi, the silver medalist in the event four years prior, had a disappointing first round but recovered with the second-best final jump, ultimately finishing sixth overall. Germany’s Philipp Raimund, the gold medalist in the men’s normal hill individual competition, finished ninth.
A disqualification also marked the event, as Daniel Tschofenig of Austria was found to have boots that were four millimeters too long. An FIS official attributed the issue to an oversight. The incident highlights the stringent regulations governing equipment in ski jumping and the importance of adherence to these rules.
Slovenia also defended their title in the ski jumping mixed team event , with Domen Prevc playing a crucial role alongside Nika Prevc and Nika Vodan. This latest gold medal for Domen Prevc further cements Slovenia’s dominance in the sport at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
