Home snow victory for Kvandal on opening day of Ski Flying weekend in Vikersund

Mar 21, 2026·Ski Jumping

FIS/Action Press/Julia Piatkowska

Eirin Maria Kvandal (NOR) claimed victory on the first day of the women’s Ski Flying competition in Vikersund, Norway, on Saturday. Kvandal moved from second place after the first round to secure the win thanks to a superb final-round jump, finishing with a combined total of 425.9 points.

Kvandal finished 5.4 points ahead of Frida Westman (SWE), who secured the second World Cup podium of her career.

Westman, who finished third in Wisla (POL) in 2022, was in third after the first round (225m for 218.9 points) and climbed to second with her final-round jump (225m and 201.6 points), setting a new Swedish distance record.

Nika Prevc (SLO), who led after the opening round with 224m and 228.8 points, dropped to third after a disappointing second jump (204.5m and 183.3 points). Nika Vodan (SLO) finished fourth, while double Olympic champion Anna Odine Stroem (NOR) rounded out the top five.

Stroem rose five places in the final round, delivering the second-longest women’s jump in history (235.5m) and setting a new personal record, just 0.5m shy of Prevc’s 236m world record.

For Kvandal, it was her third World Cup victory of the season after two wins in Willingen at the beginning of this year. “It’s been a great day”, Kvandal said afterward. “The adrenaline rush is still going”, she added with a smile.

“It’s been so much fun. I’m very happy right now. So many girls jumped so far. The level and the flights have been amazing. Seeing Anna (Odine Stroem), performing so strongly (too), it’s just been a pleasure all day. To finish with this jump was amazing.”

Kvandal, who also topped the qualification on Friday ahead of Stroem and Silje Opseth (NOR), also won in Vikersund two years ago.

The fact that she landed just ahead of her good friend Westman this time around meant a lot to Kvandal. "That's the biggest bonus", Kvandal said. "This is a day I will never forget. To get to share it with Frida is just amazing. The road she's gone through and the battles we fought through together, and to stand here today, is something I almost don't believe."

For Westman, who has battled back from injuries, her second-ever World Cup podium and her first in Ski Flying marked a milestone. "Since I came back from injuries, I've been jumping more efficiently", Westman said. "The coaches said, 'this will suit you,' and I trusted that. I went for it."

Her late surge came at the expense of Prevc, who dropped from first to third after struggling in the final round. "Right now, it's a weird feeling for me", Prevc said. "But I have to be satisfied with the first jump. Ski Flying doesn't happen many times, and I've tried to do my best and enjoy it."

The top 15 jumpers advanced to the final round on Saturday, with Selina Freitag (GER) being among those missing out after placing 17th.

Competition in Vikersund continues with the men’s event this afternoon. Both men and women will compete again on Sunday.