Predazzo, Italy – – Slovenia’s Domen Prevc secured the gold medal in the men’s large hill ski jumping event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, overcoming a deficit in the final round with a jump of 141.5 meters. The performance, a hill record, propelled him to a total of 301.8 points, surpassing his competitors on a rainy and challenging night.
The victory marks the first individual Olympic gold for the Prevc family, a dynasty renowned in the sport. Domen Prevc had previously won gold in the mixed team event , alongside his sister, Nika, making them the first brother and sister to win an Olympic medal in ski jumping.
Japan’s Ren Nikaido claimed the silver medal with 295 points, finishing 6.8 points behind Prevc. Nikaido expressed disappointment despite securing his third medal of the games, stating, I’m mad at myself and I’m very disappointed that I couldn’t win the gold medal.
Kacper Tomasiak of Poland secured the bronze, adding to his earlier silver medal win on the normal hill. Tomasiak’s success is particularly notable as he is in his rookie year on the World Cup circuit.
The competition saw a dramatic shift in standings during the final round. Prevc entered the round trailing Nikaido by seven points. He described his mindset as focusing on enjoyment and performing to the best of his ability, saying he aimed to play and enjoy it, have fun…Do your thing, do your best, enjoy the jump and feel the air.
His successful jump of 141.5 meters proved decisive.
Tomasiak’s performance was also crucial, allowing him to overtake Norway’s Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal for the bronze medal. He attributed his success to replicating the feeling he experienced on the normal hill, stating, The jumps in training were much worse than on the normal hill, so I just had to find the same feeling, like in the normal hill. It’s good that I found it, and it’s something I’m very proud of, this medal.
The event wasn’t without its setbacks. Daniel Tschofenig of Austria was disqualified after his boots were found to be four millimeters too long, according to FIS regulations. Several established jumpers, including defending Olympic champion Marius Lindvik of Norway and veteran Austrian ski jumper Stefan Kraft, failed to advance to the final round, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition.
Prevc’s win builds on his already impressive credentials. He is the defending world champion on the large hill and has been a dominant force in the event this season, holding the distance record. His victory underscores Slovenia’s strength in ski jumping, a sport with a significant following in the country.
The challenging weather conditions, including rain, added to the difficulty of the competition. Despite the conditions, the athletes delivered a compelling display of skill and athleticism. The Predazzo crowd witnessed a historic moment as Domen Prevc cemented his place in Olympic history and continued the legacy of his family.
Germany’s Philipp Raimund, who previously won gold in the normal hill event, finished in 9th place. The results demonstrate the increasing competitiveness within the sport, with new faces challenging established stars.
The success of first-time Olympians like Nikaido and Tomasiak signals a potential shift in the landscape of competitive ski jumping. Their performances suggest a growing depth of talent and a willingness to challenge the dominance of more experienced athletes. The Milan Cortina Games are proving to be a platform for emerging stars to make their mark on the world stage.
