Jens Luraas Oftebro holds off Lamparter for Gundersen Normal Hill gold

Jens Luraas Oftebro (NOR) held off World Cup leader Johannes Lamparter (AUT) and overcame a clash with Eero Hirvonen (FIN) during the cross‑country race to win the first Nordic Combined event at Milano Cortina 2026 — the Individual Gundersen Normal Hill/10km at the Tesero Cross‑Country Skiing Stadium on Wednesday.

The last lap provided an exciting finale as Oftebro broke away early but could not shake Lamparter, finishing in 29:59.4 — one second ahead of the Austrian in second.

Both Oftebro and Hirvonen did well to make the podium, with the Finn taking bronze after a mid‑race clash in which the two made contact around the halfway mark and Oftebro hit the hoardings, temporarily losing momentum.

“It's an amazing feeling,” Oftebro said. “It was a really tough course and loose conditions, so it’s really a tough race. I almost crashed in the third loop where there was so much happening, so I felt pretty OK and was happy that I could get a gap in the last climb so I could reach the finish line first. The more you go on the snow, the deeper down in it you get. It was tricky to get the pace up and I am very pleased to end up with the gold. I’m super proud of myself.”

Despite being among the favourites for gold, Lamparter commented: “I’m really happy about this medal. It was not an easy race, the conditions were really tough with deep snow. The last two days I was thinking I may not be good enough in those conditions, so I am really relieved after that. The jumping hill was really close this morning. We were all close together with very tight gaps. It was a very hard race – like a selection – but the best won at the end. I have had a really good season but the Olympics was the highlight. So to be on point today was really great.”

Hirvonen made a brave push from the chasing pack toward the end, seemingly intent to fight for more than bronze; he finished 2.5 seconds behind Lamparter.

The ski jumping competition round at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium was won by Estonia’s Kristjan Ilves, who went 99 m and — with compensation points for jumping in the most difficult conditions — gained a 15‑second advantage for the start of the 10km race. He was followed by Stefan Rettenegger (AUT) and Ryota Yamamoto (JPN). The eventual medal winners started the race from the following positions: Oftebro seventh, Lamparter sixth and Hirvonen 10th.

Oftebro’s brother Einar Luraas, who had started fourth after the jump, could not capitalise and finished 12th. Thomas Rettenegger (AUT), brother of Stefan, had been fifth after the jump and finished ninth in the 10km.

Defending Olympic champion Vinzenz Geiger (GER) will have been disappointed with 10th place: he started the 10km in eighth and moved up to fourth at the 2.5km mark before fading on the final lap.

Italy’s Samuel Costa, who returned from retirement to compete at his home Olympics, said: “It’s really special. I live one hour from here, my friends and family are all here, and it’s something unique that will live with me for the rest of my life.” Costa finished 13th.

For full results of the Individual Gundersen Normal Hill/10km click here: https://live.fis-ski.com/nk-4177/results-pda.htm

For the full Nordic Combined schedule for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games click here: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/nordic-combined/live.html?sectorcode=NK&categorycode=OWG&gendercode=&disciplinecode=&nationcode=.