Prevc, Raimund, Kobayashi: Men’s Large Hill ready for take-off at Olympics

After a three-day competition break and a chance to catch their breaths after thrilling Normal Hill and Mixed Team events, the world’s best male ski jumpers are back in Winter Olympics action at Milano Cortina 2026. Expect big flying from the biggest names — including Domen Prevc (SLO), Philipp Raimund (GER) and Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) — as the Men’s Individual Large Hill lifts off in Predazzo.

After claiming an emotional gold in the Mixed Team event alongside sister Nika on Tuesday, Domen Prevc has his sights set on a second Olympic title. The Slovenian is the fourth Olympic medallist in his family, following not only Nika, but brothers Peter and Cene who both medalled at Beijing 2022.

“I didn’t feel pressure that I was the only one without a medal, but I felt a lot of pressure for my jumps. After 10 years in the World Cup, to win a gold medal here in my first Olympics is more than a dream for me,” Prevc said. “It is a big lesson that it is worth putting in time, effort, a lot of sweat and tireless nights. If you put in a lot of work, things can pay off.”

The current World Cup leader has been dominant in Large Hill races this season, winning 11 and finishing on the podium a further six times. In Official Training the Slovenian recorded the longest jump in Predazzo so far at 143.5m and topped two of the six rounds. But he’s not the only athlete looking comfortable on the Large Hill.

In the six training rounds there were three different winners, with Jan Hoerl (AUT) and Ren Nikaido (JPN) also claiming the top spot in two rounds each. Hoerl — already an Olympic Men’s Team Champion from Beijing 2022 — landed 140.5m in his opening jump on Thursday.

Nikaido’s longest training jump was 139m in his only effort on Thursday. A podium finish on Saturday would be his third medal of these Games, following bronze in both the Individual and Mixed Team races. “When it comes to the Large Hill competition, I think I have really good momentum thanks to what happened the last two days,” Nikaido said.

Newly-crowned Olympic Normal Hill Champion Philipp Raimund has also continued his consistent form, with jumps of 135.5m and 137m putting him second in two of Thursday’s three training rounds. The Beijing 2022 Large Hill silver medallist Ryoyu Kobayashi was close behind with a best effort of 130.5m.

Two-time Olympic Large Hill Champion Kamil Stoch (POL) is chasing a potential fifth Olympic medal in his sixth and final Games. Poland’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony landed a best jump of 135.5m on Thursday.

The reigning Olympic Large Hill Champion Marius Lindvik (NOR) already has one silver at Milano Cortina after Norway’s success in the Mixed Team event; his best training jump was 128.5m.

Normal Hill bronze medallist Gregor Deschwanden (SUI), Timi Zajc (SLO) and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal (NOR) were also among athletes to clear 130m in training.

One other name to watch is Estonia’s Artti Aigro, who has made a remarkable recovery to compete at Milano Cortina 2026 after breaking his leg at the Four Hills in January. After withdrawing from the Normal Hill in Predazzo he successfully returned for Large Hill training, jumping 127.5m in his first effort.

The Men’s Individual Large Hill gets underway in Predazzo with the trial round at 17:30 CET before the opening round at 18:45 CET.

See also: Ski Jumping | Winter Olympics 2026