Oslo, Norway – In a stunning upset at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump in Oslo, Switzerland’s Gregor Deschwanden has secured his first-ever World Cup victory, ending a nearly twelve-year drought for Swiss ski jumping. The 35-year-vintage Deschwanden, who recently earned a bronze medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, soared to victory, becoming the oldest first-time winner in World Cup history. This triumph marks a remarkable late-career surge for the Luzern native, who had previously achieved four second-place and two third-place finishes in World Cup competitions.
The win is particularly significant as it represents Switzerland’s first World Cup success since Simon Ammann’s victory in Kuusamo, Finland, in November 2014. Deschwanden’s performance on Saturday showcased his resilience and skill, overtaking Austrian Maximilian Ortner after a strong second jump of 130.5 meters. Naoki Nakamura of Japan rounded out the podium in third place. The competition was a day of surprises, with Deschwanden demonstrating exceptional form throughout.
Deschwanden’s Journey to the Top
Deschwanden’s path to the top hasn’t been without its challenges. After 309 individual starts and over 14 years on the circuit, this victory is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. He landed jumps of 132.5m and 130.5m to secure the win, a feat made even more impressive considering his age. “I’m so glad I made it finally!” Deschwanden laughed after the event, as reported by FIS. “I had to fight again but I’m really glad I made two good jumps and the luck was on my side. My jumps just had a good level and sometimes I struggled a bit with landing but it was good enough today.”
The Swiss team enjoyed a strong showing with three other athletes finishing within the top 30. Felix Trunz placed 15th, Simon Ammann finished 26th and Juri Kesseli secured 30th position. This collective performance underscores the growing strength of Swiss ski jumping.
A Historic Victory for Swiss Ski Jumping
Maximilian Ortner achieved his best-ever World Cup result, finishing second with a total of 261.7 points, just 1.4 points behind Deschwanden. Nakamura secured third place after a final jump of 129m, narrowly beating Daniel Tschofenig of Austria by 0.4 points. The top ten finishers were tightly packed, demonstrating the high level of competition at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.
This victory comes at a pivotal moment for Deschwanden, who has experienced a resurgence in form in recent weeks. His Olympic bronze medal and now this World Cup win solidify his status as a leading figure in the sport. The win is not only a personal triumph for Deschwanden but also a significant moment for Swiss ski jumping, reigniting national pride and inspiring a new generation of athletes. It’s also Switzerland’s first World Cup victory in more than 4,000 days.
Looking ahead, Deschwanden will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming competitions. His recent successes suggest he is peaking at the right time, and fans will be eager to see what he can achieve in the remainder of the season. The Swiss team, bolstered by this victory, will aim to continue their strong performance and build on their recent success.
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