Slovenian Skier Domen Prevc Claims Olympic Gold, Slovakia’s Kapustík Achieves Historic Result
Domen Prevc of Slovenia secured the gold medal in the large hill ski jumping event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Predazzo, Italy. Ren Nikaidó of Japan took silver, and Kacper Tomasiak of Poland earned bronze.
Kapustík’s Unexpected Journey to 21st Place
Eighteen-year-traditional Hektor Kapustík achieved the best result for Slovakia in Olympic ski jumping history, finishing in 21st place with a score of 248.3. His qualification for the second round was a stroke of luck; he initially ranked 31st after the first round, just outside the qualifying mark by a single position and a tenth of a point.
However, a subsequent disqualification of Austrian skier Daniel Tschofenig due to illegal boot dimensions allowed Kapustík to advance. He capitalized on the opportunity, delivering the 17th best performance in the second round with a jump of 132.0 meters and a score of 127.1 points.
A Close Call in the First Round
Kapustík’s first jump, while not technically perfect, landed at 131.5 meters. His skis separated upon landing, resulting in lower scores from the judges – two scores of 16 and one of 16.5, totaling 121.2 points.
Sharing the Stage with a Legend
Kapustík’s final score matched that of Polish ski jumping veteran Kamil Stoch, a three-time Olympic champion, potentially marking the end of a distinguished career for the Polish athlete.
Prevc’s Dominance and Historic Win for Slovenia
Domen Prevc’s victory marks Slovenia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in individual ski jumping. He currently dominates the World Cup circuit, with 11 wins and a victory in the prestigious Four Hills Tournament.
“I feel like I’m watching a movie. As if something is happening and I’m just watching it from a distance. It’s magical, wonderful,” Prevc stated, according to the Slovenian Press Agency STA.
Prevc is now poised to become only the second ski jumper in history to achieve all five major titles – World Champion, Olympic Champion, World Flight Champion, Four Hills Tournament winner, and overall World Cup winner – a feat previously accomplished only by Finland’s Matti Nykänen.
Nikaidó’s Second-Round Struggles
Nikaidó led after the first round with a seven-point advantage over Prevc, but his second jump wasn’t as strong, causing him to drop to second place. He added a bronze medal to his collection, having already secured bronze in the individual medium hill event and the mixed team event.
FAQ
Q: What place did Hektor Kapustík finish in the large hill ski jumping event?
A: He finished in 21st place.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
A: Domen Prevc of Slovenia.
Q: How did Kapustík qualify for the second round?
A: He initially missed qualification but advanced due to the disqualification of another competitor.
Q: What is significant about Domen Prevc’s win?
A: It’s Slovenia’s first Olympic gold medal in individual ski jumping.
Did you know? Domen Prevc is on track to become only the second ski jumper to win all five major titles in the sport.
Explore more about the 2026 Winter Olympics and follow the latest updates from Predazzo.
