Domen's double delight: Prevc wins second Olympic gold

Another day, another ski-jumping thriller at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, as Domen Prevc (SLO) came from behind to snatch gold in the Men’s Large Hill in Predazzo. The Slovenian was trailing Ren Nikaido (JPN) by seven points heading into the final round, but responded to the pressure with a hill-record jump of 141.5 m to secure his second Olympic title of the Games.

Nikaido claimed his third medal of Milano Cortina 2026 with silver, while Kacper Tomasiak (POL) continued his dream debut season with bronze — his second medal of the Games after Normal Hill silver. Prevc now holds the Olympic, World, Four Hills and Ski Flying titles, with a likely World Cup Crystal Globe still to come. He’s the first Slovenian to win a men’s individual Olympic title.

Prevc admitted the victory felt surreal. “I feel like I’m at the cinema watching the guy doing his thing! But now all of these feelings are coming together, it’s amazing. Before the last jump I just wanted to enjoy it. I think it’s one of the most memorable jumps of my career,” he said.

The Slovenian has been dominant on the Large Hill this season with 11 World Cup wins and arrived in Predazzo as a clear favourite, but it was Nikaido who set the early standard in the opening round. As rain and snow fell, the Japanese topped the opening round with 140 m for 154.0 points. Prevc responded with 138.5 m for second place, two points ahead of Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (NOR) in third; Tomasiak lay fourth after a 133 m opening jump.

Tomasiak improved in the final round with 138.5 m to overtake Sundal and secure his second podium of the Games. After Prevc’s record jump, Nikaido needed to better 140 m to claim gold but managed 136.5 m and finished 6.8 points behind the winner. “The fact that I already had medals before today means there is greater expectation from people around me and a greater pressure on my shoulders,” Nikaido said. “What was most important was that I focused on enjoying these Games — that’s what led to the medals.”

Tomasiak reflected on his performance: “I think maybe I was a bit more relaxed, but before the jump it wasn’t a huge difference. But after the competition, I needed a shorter time to calm myself and to be happy for this result.”

Away from the medals, the day’s standout performance came from Kazakhstan’s 19‑year‑old Ilya Mizernykh, who qualified for the final with the biggest opening jump of 140.5 m and finished eighth overall after a 136.0 m final effort. It marks Kazakhstan’s best Olympic finish in ski jumping. Estonia’s Artti Aigro — returning from a broken foot sustained at the Four Hills Tournament — also impressed by making the final, jumping 124.5 m and 125.5 m to place 26th.

Meanwhile, three‑time Olympic champion Kamil Stoch (POL) produced a final individual jump in his Olympic career, landing 131.5 m to finish 21st. The six‑time Olympian said he was proud to reach his sixth Games but disappointed with his form.

Prevc’s second gold caps a memorable run at Milano Cortina 2026 and the men’s ski‑jumping programme will conclude with the first Olympic Super Team event on Monday 16 February.

See also: Men’s Large Hill Individual — Milano Cortina 2026; Men’s Super Team — Milano Cortina 2026.