Jens Lurås Oftebro wins his first individual Olympic gold

Jens Lurås Oftebro won his first individual Olympic gold

By Andreas Jørgensen — Updated 11/02/2026 17:15 (GMT+1)

In an intense sprint duel Jens Lurås Oftebro decided the race and took his first individual Olympic gold in Nordic combined at Milano‑Cortina 2026.

It was only on the final straight that Lurås Oftebro settled the gold battle in a sprint against Austria’s Johannes Lamparter and Finland’s Eero Hirvonen — and he did it in dominant fashion.

“He just surges away! It’s like a game!” exclaimed HBO Max commentator and former combined athlete Ida Marie Hagen during the TV coverage. “He takes his first individual Olympic gold — have you ever seen anything like it? He does it alone and just glides away,” added HBO Max commentator Jan Christian Bjørn.

After the race Hagen reflected: “It’s absolutely fantastic. Jens comes in as a big favourite and delivers. It’s so incredibly pleasing to see. It’s not easy living in the shadow, as he has done for many years behind Jarl Magnus Riiber, but he manages to deliver. It’s unbelievable.”

Lurås Oftebro was already part of Norway’s gold‑winning team in Beijing 2022, and he took an individual silver in the large hill at the same Games. But this was his first individual Olympic title.

Race details

Estonia’s Kristjan Ilves opened the cross‑country leg with a lead after the ski jumping part and started 20 seconds ahead of eldest brother Einar Lurås Oftebro, with youngest brother Jens starting 28 seconds behind Kristjan. That deficit was erased by a train led by Jens after just under five kilometres of the ten‑kilometre race. Einar fell out of the medal fight at the same point.

Jens proved to be in outstanding shape on the skis and was among the pre‑race favourites. The race was not without drama: at one point his right ski hooked under an advertising sign and he had to stop in the uphill section. Fortunately neither ski nor poles broke, and the 25‑year‑old immediately moved back to the front.

“I was a bit scared then, but luckily I found my composure and didn’t panic,” Lurås Oftebro said to HBO Max after the race.

Before the cross‑country part both Lurås Oftebro brothers were well placed from the jumping: Einar jumped 99 metres (127.5 points) and Jens produced the second‑longest jump of the round at 104 metres (125.6 points). After the ski leg Jens was clearly the strongest.

“I’m very satisfied. I can still do better, but so can everyone else. I’m pleased to have delivered such a good counting jump in an Olympic normal hill round. This is one of the most important days of my life,” the youngest brother said after the jump.

Reaction and context

Commentators praised Jens’s aggressive skiing and quick movements. HBO Max expert Ida Marie Hagen said he wasn’t afraid to lead and looked very sharp — all signs of excellent form.

“Congratulations Jens. This is insane!” said fellow commentator Jan Christian Bjørn as the Norwegian celebrated his breakthrough individual Olympic victory.

Related: Lurås Oftebro has earlier been part of Norway’s Olympic team successes and already had strong World Cup results this season. His victory here cements him among the top combined athletes at Milano‑Cortina 2026.

Videos and photos from the race were shown on Eurosport and HBO Max, including the final sprint and the moment his ski snagged a sign.

(Photos/video: Eurosport)