All eyes on Prevc as Olympic Ski Jumping opens on Normal Hill

There’s no denying Nika Prevc (SLO) has been the unstoppable force in Women’s Ski Jumping in the run up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Slovenian currently leads the World Cup standings by 486pts and arrives in Predazzo for her first Games as one of the favorites for gold. The first medals will be awarded on Saturday in the Women's Individual Normal Hill.

“I do have very high goals for the Olympics, but everyone here is so strong,”  said Prevc.

“So I just hope to do my best and enjoy my first Olympics.”

Prevc and brother Domen’s dominance this season has been recognised at the Opening Ceremony, with the siblings nominated as Slovenia’s flag bearers. Nika aims to follow in compatriot Ursa Bogotaj footsteps with gold in the Women’s Individual Normal Hill event on Saturday. In the first official training session, Prevc topped two of the three rounds with jumps of 98m and 100.5m.

But Prevc isn't the only athlete who has hit form at just the right time heading into the Games. At last weekend’s World Cup in Willingen (GER), it was Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) who soared to back-to-back victories, beating the Slovenian into second and third place respectively.

“This season has been a bit rough so it’s good to see that my top jumps are coming now. Of course I go to the Olympics to fight for medals, so that's what I'll do,” said Kvandal, who is the 2025 World Individual Large Hill bronze medalist.

Kvandal equalled Prevc's opening two training jumps of 98m and 100.5m. Teammate Anna Odine Stroem (NOR) also made a good start in Predazzo, finishing third in all three training rounds on Thursday.

Lisa Eder (AUT), who sits third in the overall World Cup standings, is another medal contender and she’s feeling confident heading into the Games. The Austrian topped the final training round on Thursday, besting Prevc with a jump of 102.5m - the longest of the day.

“We tested the jumps (in Predazzo) in the summer and although it is not fully comparable to the winter, they have a very unique character," Eder said.

"We need to fine tune our techniques again and then we’ll be good to go.”

When it comes to Normal Hill, the current number two in the Crystal Globe standings, Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) is also one to watch. She won the World Cup event last month on home snow in Zao, one of 14 podiums so far this season. She’ll be leading Japan’s quest for the podium alongside PyeongChang 2018 bronze medalist Sara Takanashi.

Schmid hoping for glorious farewell

Team Germany are also aiming to challenge for the podium, with Selina Freitag, Agnes Reisch and Katharina Schmid currently in the top 10 of the World Cup rankings. For Schmid, it would be the perfect way to round off her glittering career. Milano Cortina 2026 is the final competition for the two-time Olympic Individual Normal Hill silver medalist before retirement. She will also carry the flag for Germany at the Opening Ceremony.

“I am really happy with what I have achieved during my career as I have won many big medals, but it is not always easy, particularly in recent years,” she reflected.

“Although I’m not really sure about my performances, I know that when I show really good jumps, I can win a medal.

“It’s also near to my home (Oberstdorf), so I know that my whole family, as well as my friends, can come and watch me for the last time at an Olympic Games, so I really hope I can not only compete but also fight for a medal once more.”

Another athlete who will enjoy huge home support is Annika Sieff (ITA). Born and raised close to Predazzo, the Italian made the switch to Ski Jumping from Nordic Combined two years ago in order to compete at her home Games.

Other contenders for the Normal Hill podium include Beijing 2022 bronze medalist Nika Vodan (SLO) and Obertsdorf World Cup winner Abigail Strate (CAN).

Milano Cortina 2026 Schedule

Milano Cortina 2026 will make history for Women’s Ski Jumping with more medal events than ever before. After the Individual Normal Hill on Saturday, the first-ever Olympic Women’s Individual Large Hill competition will take place on February 15. The Mixed Team event also returns on February 10 after a successful debut at Beijing 2022.