Ryoyu Kobayashi claims comeback victory at Lillehammer World Cup

Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) captured his first win of the 2025/26 season in the finale of the Lillehammer World Cup opener, executing a decisive second jump in difficult, snowy conditions.

After the first round, World Champion Domen Prevc (SLO) led with 140 m and 147.9 points, 3.5 points ahead of Kobayashi. With snowfall intensifying and the inrun being cleared repeatedly, the final series turned dramatic. Kobayashi delivered 139.5 m for 146.1 points, setting a target Prevc could not surpass with his closing 139 m effort. Kobayashi totaled 290.5 points to Prevc’s 287.3.

Germany’s Felix Hoffmann produced 139 m in round one (143.8 pts) and held his nerve to secure third with 286.2 points—his first individual World Cup podium. Philipp Raimund (GER) narrowly missed the rostrum.

Several favorites found the shifting wind and snow challenging. Jan Hoerl (AUT), the 2024/25 overall runner‑up, led qualification but sat seventh at half‑time with 136.5 m and finished eighth. Saturday’s winner and reigning Crystal Globe holder Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) improved to seventh with a 137.5 m second jump. Stefan Kraft (AUT) was sixth at the break but stayed outside the medals.

Japan’s strong form in Norway continued after winning the season‑opening Mixed Team event and Nozomi Maruyama’s women’s double victory earlier in the weekend. The next World Cup stop is Falun (SWE), with men’s and women’s normal and large hill competitions scheduled (times CET).