Domen Prevc will jump last in Saturday’s one-round large-hill final, 143.5 m of momentum behind him and the weight of Slovenia’s most famous jumping dynasty on his back.
Prevc Returns After Mixed-Team Gold
Three quiet days in the Dolomites gave the 27-year-old Slovenian time to absorb Tuesday’s victory with sister Nika, a win that made the Prevc family the first in Olympic history to collect four separate ski-jumping medals. Domen insists the milestone never felt like a burden. “I didn’t feel pressure that I was the only one without a medal,” he said, “but I felt a lot of pressure for my jumps.” His reward—an opening-round bib earned with the longest training leap on the HS142 hill—sets up a potential double in Predazzo.
Raimund and Kobayashi Chase Repeat Podiums
Normal-Hill champion Philipp Raimund has carried his form straight to the large hill, posting 135.5 m and 137 m on Thursday to finish second in two of the three rehearsal rounds. Tokyo 2022 large-hill silver medalist Ryoyu Kobayashi shadowed him at 130.5 m, signalling that neither intends to yield the spotlight. The German–Japanese duel adds spice to an event historically dominated by Central Europeans.
Austrians and Japanese Share Early Momentum
Jan Hoerl, already a team gold medalist from Beijing, topped two training sessions with a best of 140.5 m, while Japan’s Ren Nikaido—fresh from bronze in both individual and mixed events—hit 139 m and spoke of “really good momentum.” Their early speed underscores the field’s depth: six practice rounds produced three different winners, suggesting Saturday’s outcome could pivot on a single gust of alpine wind.
Veterans Eye Farewell Hardware
Poland’s Kamil Stoch, 37, needs a podium to cap a career that already features two large-hill titles and five Olympic starts. Flag-bearer duties in Milan’s opening ceremony reminded him this is his last Games; a 135.5 m morning jump showed the timing is still there. Norway’s defending champion Marius Lindvik, 26, sits farther back after a 128.5 m best, yet a silver from the mixed event keeps him in medal range.
Comeback Story on the Hill
Estonian three-time Olympian Artti Aigro, who fractured his leg at the Four Hills Tournament in January, cleared 127.5 m in his first competitive jumps since the injury. Having skipped the normal hill, the 25-year-old’s mere presence in the start gate is a medical marvel; a top-20 finish would rank as one of the Games’ quietest achievements.
The trial round begins at 17:30 CET, followed by the winner-take-all final at 18:45 under the lights of the Trampolino Giuseppe Dal Ben.
Recommended Resources
- FIS Ski Jumping YouTube channel – full training and competition replays
- Milano Cortina 2026 official schedule – live start lists and real-time results
- “Ski Jumping Physics” explainer by the Olympic Channel – how hill profile affects distance
- Slovenian Ski Association media guide – career stats on the Prevc family
- Predazzo weather station dashboard – second-by-second wind readings for serious fans
Sources: FIS data feed, Milano Cortina 2026 timing sheets, team press briefings
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