Predazzo, Italy – Domen Prevc of Slovenia added to his impressive Olympic haul, claiming gold in the men’s large hill ski jumping event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday, February 14th. The victory comes after Prevc already secured gold in the mixed team competition, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the sport. The large hill competition saw fierce competition, with Japan’s Ren Nikaido initially leading after the first round, but Prevc ultimately prevailed with a stunning final jump.
The Slovenian’s winning jump of 141.5 meters – a new hill record – propelled him to a total score of 301.8 points, surpassing Nikaido by a significant margin. This marks the first time a Slovenian male athlete has won an individual title at the Olympic Games, a milestone Prevc acknowledged as “surreal.” The win also adds to Prevc’s already extensive list of accolades, including the Olympic, World, Four Hills, and Ski Flying titles, with a likely World Cup Crystal Globe still within reach.
While Prevc celebrated a triumphant day, Czech ski jumper Roman Koudelka faced disappointment. Despite feeling physically and mentally prepared, Koudelka was unable to qualify for the second round, finishing with a jump of 119 meters and falling 13.5 points short of the top 30. This marks the second consecutive competition at the Milano Cortina Games where Koudelka has failed to advance past the first round, having also missed the cut in the normal hill event earlier in the week.
Challenges on the Hill for Koudelka
Koudelka expressed frustration with his performance, noting difficulties with his approach. “We’ve been trying to identify it from the beginning. I thought they’d left the large hill as it was from the summer, but they redid it too. I just can’t get into a rhythm here, and I’m struggling with it,” he said in a statement released by the Czech Olympic Committee. Despite his struggles, Koudelka remained optimistic about his physical condition, stating, “I feel sorry, because physically and mentally I felt good. I had a feeling that today was the day it could happen.”
This Olympics holds particular significance for the 36-year-old Koudelka, representing his fifth Olympic appearance, having previously served as a forerunner at the 2006 Turin Games. However, he acknowledged a lingering sense of unfulfillment. “But there’s still a blemish of those unsuccessful competitions,” he lamented, adding that he is now contemplating his future in the sport. “I will be leaving with great anticipation of what will happen after the season, what will happen next.” He also expressed his disappointment at competing so close to home, stating, “This Olympics really hurts me because I finally experienced an Olympics near home.”
Nikaido and Tomasiak Claim Silver and Bronze
Ren Nikaido secured the silver medal with a total score of 295 points, adding to his bronze medal from the normal hill and mixed team events. Poland’s Kacper Tomasiak continued his breakout season, claiming the bronze medal with a performance that followed his silver medal win in the normal hill competition. According to the FIS, Tomasiak’s success marks a significant achievement in his debut Olympic season.
The competition also saw unexpected results, with defending Olympic champion Marius Lindvik of Norway and Austrian veteran Stefan Kraft failing to advance to the final round. Austria’s Daniel Tschofenig was initially ranked 8th in the first round but was later disqualified. However, Jan Hoerl and Stephan Embacher found their form on the large hill, finishing 5th and 7th respectively for Austria.
American skiers Tate Frantz, Kevin Bickner, and Jason Colby finished 19th, 20th, and 31st, respectively. NBC Olympics reports that Prevc was the only jumper to surpass the 300-point mark.
Looking Ahead
Domen Prevc’s dominant performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics solidifies his position as a leading figure in ski jumping. With the World Cup season continuing, all eyes will be on Prevc as he aims to secure the Crystal Globe. For Roman Koudelka, the coming months will be crucial as he evaluates his future in the sport following a disappointing Olympic showing. The ski jumping world now turns its attention to the remaining events at the Milano Cortina Games and the continuation of the World Cup circuit.
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