PREDAZZO, Italy – Philipp Raimund of Germany has emerged as an Olympic champion, capturing gold in the men’s normal hill ski jump at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on . The 24-year-old, ranked sixth in the world entering the competition, delivered a stunning performance, culminating in a best jump of 106.5 meters and a total of 274.1 points.
Raimund’s victory wasn’t simply about distance; it was about control and style. He acknowledged a tendency to generate excessive power in his legs, leading to instability. “Usually the issue is that I have too much power in my legs and therefore the movement is a bit unstable,” he explained. His strategy for the final jump was remarkably simple: “So I knew just standing up and just let it fly.” That approach proved golden.
The silver medal went to Kacper Tomasiak of Poland, continuing a strong showing for the Polish team at these Games. Japan’s Ren Nikaido and Switzerland’s Gregor Deschwanden shared the bronze medal, tying in the final standings. The podium featured a mix of experience and fresh faces, with Raimund, Nikaido, and Deschwanden all competing in their first Olympics.
The competition saw Nikaido initially take the lead with a jump of 106.5 meters, followed closely by Deschwanden and Tomasiak, both reaching 107 meters. However, Raimund, who had managed 102 meters in his first jump, rose to the occasion with a masterful performance that secured him the top spot. Judges awarded him high points for his style, ultimately pushing him ahead of the competition.
Raimund’s triumph is particularly noteworthy given his prior achievements. While he had a fourth-place finish in the team event at the World Championships and a World Cup win in the mixed team event, this marks his first individual major championship victory. “I’ve never won a World Cup, so now I’m Olympic champion and I will be known probably for the rest of my life because I have a gold medal and that is un-(expletive)-believable,” Raimund stated, clearly overwhelmed by the moment.
Deschwanden, the veteran of the four medalists, was competing in his fourth Olympics. His experience provided a steady presence in the field, but it was Raimund’s day. The German’s victory represents a breakthrough moment for him and a captivating start to the ski jumping events at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Elsewhere at the Games, Poland continued to add to its medal count. Tomasiak’s silver in the normal hill event followed his recent success on the large hill, where he secured a bronze medal. He expressed surprise at his performance, stating, “Before the season, I didn’t expect such results. Even before the Games, I didn’t expect it could be so good.” He credited his training on the normal hill for his success, adding, “I was hoping to get a good result on the normal hill because we trained more on it before the Games. But it worked out on both, so I’m very happy.”
The Polish team’s success extends beyond ski jumping. Władimir Semirunnij claimed a silver medal in the 10,000m speed skating event on , bringing Poland’s total medal count to three at the Games.
Tomasiak’s rise is particularly compelling, as this season marked his debut in the World Cup circuit. Despite never reaching a podium finish in individual World Cup events, he has proven his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage. His two Olympic medals demonstrate a remarkable ability to peak at the right time, solidifying his position as a rising star in the sport.
The men’s normal hill ski jump competition showcased a thrilling display of athleticism and precision. Raimund’s victory, coupled with the strong performances of Tomasiak, Nikaido, and Deschwanden, has set a high bar for the remainder of the ski jumping events at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. The competition underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the potential for unexpected champions to emerge.
