Prevc siblings power Slovenia to Olympic Mixed Team gold

Slovenia have successfully defended their Olympic Mixed Team title at Milano Cortina 2026 after a dominant performance in Predazzo. Siblings Domen and Nika Prevc become the third Olympic gold medalists in their family, after brother Peter four years ago. Anze Lanisek and Nika Vodan also found their best form of the Games so far as Slovenia posted a total of 1069.2pts to win by 30.9pts ahead of Norway in silver (1038.3pts) and Japan in bronze (1034pts).    

There were tears of joy all around: For Domen and Nika Prevc, their first Olympic gold medals and Nika’s second of the Games after silver in the Women’s Individual. For Lanisek, a first gold after a difficult 26th place in the Men’s Individual. And for Nika Vodan, a second consecutive Olympic title.

“The gold medal is something I have wanted since I started ski jumping. It is next level for me, really special," said Nika Prevc.

“It is a fantastic feeling that it happened here in Predazzo. Our parents have always been so supportive and I am super thankful. They always support us, no matter how we do or what we score. They are always cheering for us," said Domen.

“It is an amazing feeling being able to give them something back. Competing with Nika also takes it to another level.

The reigning champions led from start to finish in front of a Slovenian-dominated audience. Vodan, who was the only team member remaining from their Beijing 2022 triumph, set the tone by winning the opening group with a jump of 100m for 121.5pts. From there, Slovenia never looked like relinquishing their lead.

In the final round, Lanisek finally found his form to land 101m for 142pts to put Slovenia within touching distance of gold. The Prevc siblings then both topped their groups with jumps of 98.5m (Nika) and 102m (Domen) to start the celebrations.

“I have experienced it before but this is a level up,” said Vodan.

“I’d like to thank all the coaching staff, my family, my therapist, everyone at home who kept believing in me,” said Lanisek.

The gold medal may have been secure early on, but the fight for silver and bronze went down to the final jump. Norway swung between second and third over the course of the race, at one stage just 0.2pts ahead of Germany in fourth.

But in the final round, Women’s Individual Olympic Champion Anna Odine Stroem collected 132.1pts for her jump of 101m to win her group and give the Norwegians the edge. Despite significant pressure from Japan, Marius Lindvik held firm with a jump of 100.5m to ensure silver.

“It tastes good, it’s better with the team because everyone has to perform and that’s the charm of it,” said Lindvik.

“It was really tight, really tough. Yesterday I couldn’t land, my telemarks were unsteady and unbalanced and I had some small technical issues. Yesterday wasn’t my day but today it was.”

"It’s definitely a dream come true. It’s unbelievable,” said teammate Eirin Maria Kvandal.

For Japan, it’s the third bronze medal of the Games so far following Ren Nikaido and Nozomi Maruyama’s on the individual Normal Hill. Nikaido did just enough to stay ahead of individual Olympic Champion Philipp Raimund (GER) in the final round as Germany missed out on the podium by 1.2pts. It's a third Olympic medal for Ryoyu Kobayashi and a second for Sara Takanashi after her individual bronze from PyeongChang 2018.

“It is better if you win as a team than individually. You enjoy it more,” she said.

The athletes get a well deserved rest day on Wednesday before the first training sessions on the Large Hill on Thursday. The next medals will be decided on Saturday in the Men’s Individual Large Hill race.