Bergisel (Innsbruck) – Ren Nikaido stuns with victory; Prevc and local youngster Embacher on podium

The winner of the 2026 Bergisel ski jumping contest in Innsbruck was the surprise victor Ren Nikaido. The Japanese flew 131 m and 128 m on Sunday in front of roughly 21,000 fans on the Bergisel and won by the tiniest margin — 0.5 points — ahead of Four Hills overall leader Domen Prevc, with local 19‑year‑old Stephan Embacher third (+0.7). After the first round Embacher had been tied with Nikaido for the lead. Jan Hörl finished fourth, Daniel Tschofenig sixth.

Prevc preserved his clear advantage in the overall Four Hills standings. Heading into the final competition on Epiphany in Bischofshofen he leads by 41.4 points over Hörl and by 41.7 over Embacher; Nikaido sits fourth, 54.1 points behind. Last year’s overall winner Tschofenig is in eighth place in the intermediate ranking.

Results (selection):

• 1st Ren Nikaido (JPN) — 131 m / 128 m — victory
• 2nd Domen Prevc (SLO) — runner‑up
• 3rd Stephan Embacher (AUT) — +0.7
• 4th Jan Hörl (AUT)
• 6th Daniel Tschofenig (AUT)

Embacher not disappointed: “It was a mega day”

The 19‑year‑old Embacher missed his first World Cup win by only 0.7 points. He had started last from the nervous zone, but there was no disappointment for the Tyrolean, nicknamed “Bambi” in the team because of his youth: “It was a mega day, really cool in front of the crowd — a home podium is indescribable,” he told ORF on TV. He said his nerves were okay, but admitted he was a little late on the jump: “A shame, but I know I’m close. We still have Bischofshofen — I’ll go for it again.”

Nikaido celebrated his first World Cup victory after two seconds and a third earlier this season. “I didn’t think about anything, I just jumped as well as I could. I am speechless,” he said. On his maiden win he added: “I didn’t expect to win here.”

Hörl troubled by take‑off issue

Jan Hörl was a bit frustrated about fourth place after making a mistake in the second round. “It annoys me a little. In the first round the left ski didn’t really bite, and it happened again now,” he said. “I got a lot out of it, but it’s just not enough — the jumps must be right and they weren’t today. It’s small things at the table with big effect.” He added that with Prevc’s big lead there is nothing to lose in Bischofshofen.

ÖSV head coach Andreas Widhölzl would have liked a hat‑trick of wins on the Bergisel after his team’s recent success: “I would’ve wished Stephan to get his first win on the Bergisel. Jan made a ski error. As a team we were good again, but of course I would have preferred two on the podium.”

Prevc on the finish in Bischofshofen

Prevc — last season’s winner in Innsbruck — said it was a pity for others but he remained happy: “The jump wasn’t as perfect as in Garmisch, I was a bit nervous today. I am super happy, second place is great.” He said his plan for the Tour finale is to “remember why I started ski jumping and go into the final like a child — with fun.”

Notable: Stefan Kraft placed 13th, just ahead of 40‑year‑old Manuel Fettner, who was celebrated in Innsbruck in his farewell. Timi Zajc’s disqualification in Garmisch remains an item of discussion in Tournee coverage.

(Photo credits: APA/Georg Hochmuth, GEPA)