Nika Prevc prevails after phenomenal Falun finish
Nov 30, 2025·Ski Jumping
Reigning Crystal Globe champion Nika Prevc (SLO) claimed her first victory of the winter campaign, denying rival Nozomi Maruyama (JPN) what would have been a record-equalling fourth-successive victory at the start of an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup season.
Maruyama had been a class apart in the opening three events, winning by a considerable margin in each, including the first Falun (SWE) World Cup on Friday and another success would have seen her draw level with the start of team-mate Sara Takanashi (JPN) in 2013/14.
After finishing 15th and then third in Lillehammer (NOR), Prevc gave further evidence of her return to form by placing second on Falun’s Normal Hill.
Jumps of 125m and an outstanding hill record of 132m, helped the Slovenian World champion attain an overall score of 252.3 points, with Maruyama (244.4pts) second and Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) claiming her maiden podium finish of the season (234.4) in third.
“I feel really happy about my jumps today,” Prevc told FIS. "Those were the best of the season yet.
"Maybe I just woke up, but I think from the first jump I had confidence and hill records, that’s what I like the most!"
World championship bronze medallists Kvandal said a top-three result in Falun (SWE) was a “great result” after a “difficult summer.”
“This was really fun and now I can look forward to the rest of the winter, as well as next winter when we’re back on this hill," she told FIS.
Ahead of this season Falun had not appeared among the host venues for an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup since 2014, but a series of spectacular showings across the women’s and men’s disciplines ensured it made more than a welcome return.
For those such as Prevc, Maruyama and male champions Stefan Kraft (AUT) and Anze Lanisek (SLO), there is further reason to celebrate their successes, with Falun due to host the 2027 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, next season.
The concluding event of the Falun World Cup had been scheduled to be the women’s Normal Hill contest, but storms in the region leading into Thursday’s competition saw the competitions switched, with the Large Hill discipline moved to the final day.
After the morning qualifying session it looked as though Maruyama was well-placed to continue her winning streak after achieving a score 10 points clear of nearest contender, Prevc.
However, the Slovenian had more to offer on this occasion and signalled her intent with a strong first round showing which edged her ahead of Maruyama in the standings by 1.2 points.
Ahead of this season Falun had not appeared among the host venues for an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup since 2014, but a series of spectacular showings across the women’s and men’s disciplines ensured it made more than a welcome return.
For those, such as Prevc, Maruyama and male champions Stefan Kraft (AUT) and Anze Lanisek (SLO), there is further reason to celebrate their successes, with Falun due to host the 2027 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, next season.
The concluding event of the Falun World Cup had been scheduled to be the women’s Normal Hill contest, but storms in the region leading into Thursday’s competition saw the competitions switched, with the Large Hill discipline moved to the final day.
After the morning qualifying session it looked as though Maruyama was well-placed to continue her winning streak after achieving a score 10 points clear of nearest contender, Prevc.
However, the Slovenian had more to offer on this occasion and signalled her intent with a strong first round showing which edged her ahead of Maruyama in the standings by 1.2 points.
Maruyama improved from 122.5m, scoring 119.6pts in the opener, to deliver a potentially World Cup winning 129m (124.8pts) effort second time around.
Prevc may only be 20, but after two successive Crystal Globe titles as well as Two Nights Tour and World Championships successes, she is a proven, seasoned performer.
Needing a statement jump to secure victory, she did just that with an outstanding hill record of 132m, which saw her claim the 23rd individual World Cup win of her career.
)
)
