Ito ends two-year wait for World Cup win with victory in Oslo

Yuki Ito (JPN) celebrated her first World Cup win in more than two years after a supreme performance at the final Large Hill competition in Oslo (NOR). Her two efforts of 127m and 126.5m secured her first podium since February 2024 and her first victory since winning in Sapporo in January 2024. The win also confirms her place in the overall World Cup top 15, qualifying her for the two final Ski Flying competitions of the season.

"I never expected to win here today — I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Ito.

“This is my tenth World Cup victory after a break of more than two years; I’m totally happy and also a little proud. Now I’m really looking forward to the two Ski Flying events in Vikersund and then in Planica — that’s a dream come true for me."

Ito led a Japanese 1-2 in Oslo, with double Olympic bronze medalist Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) finishing just 0.5pts behind her teammate. The double Olympic Champion from Milano Cortina 2026, Anna Odine Stroem (NOR), claimed her 12th World Cup podium of the season in third. Crystal Globe champion Nika Prevc (SLO) finished outside the top three for the first time since January 20.

Just like Saturday, it was Maruyama who led the field after the opening round. Her first jump of 123m earned 116pts, three points ahead of Stroem in second. Heidi Dyhre Traaserud (NOR) was in third, just 0.1pts behind her teammate.

History also repeated itself for Prevc, who again sat fifth after a first round jump of 120m for 106.9pts. But there was to be no rerun of Saturday’s come-from-behind victory, with the Slovenian eventually ending up sixth on 213.7pts. The overall World Cup winner still had plenty to celebrate though thanks to her 21st birthday on Sunday.

It was Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) who set the mark to beat in the final round. Her effort of 127m was the longest jump of the round, moving her up from seventh with 218.5pts. But Ito and Stroem rose to the challenge to sit first and second with only Maruyama left to jump.

She faced a long wait at the top as the wind worsened, but when she finally jumped she almost did enough to snatch the win away from Ito as she recorded 125m. But a difficult landing proved to be the difference, as Maruyama scored ten fewer points from the judges to end on 225.1pts.