Olympic champion Embacher claims maiden World Cup win

Olympic gold medalist Stephan Embacher (AUT) claimed the first individual World Cup victory of his career and put himself into contention for the Ski Flying Crystal Global with a stunning win in the first men’s contest in Vikersund (NOR). 

The 20-year-old, who won gold alongside Jan Hoerl in the men’s Super Team discipline at Milano Cortina 2026 last month, placed second twice at the last Ski Flying World Cup contest in Kulm (AUT) three weeks ago.

All conquering Domen Prevc (SLO), the reigning Olympic, World Championship, World Cup and Four Hills champion this season, won both events in Kulm to boost his prospects of retaining the title he won in 2024/25.

However, the Slovenian found himself in third after a challenging opening round and was short of his best again in the second, ultimately finishing fifth. 

Embacher by contrast managed jumps of 232m and 225m, which attained an event-winning overall score of 459.1 points.

“It was amazing,” Embacher told FIS after attaining the first World Cup win of his career. “Ski “Flying is really special; I really like it and today was my day with everything going well from the trial round onwards. 

“I didn’t see what the weather was doing throughout the whole competition, but from my side it was safe and a really nice, good competition which makes me really happy.”

Following up the first World Cup win of his career in Oslo (NOR) last week was Tomofumi Naito (JPN), who placed second with 446.8pts.

“I made two really good jumps and this hill has been a dream for me since I was a kid, so I’m really happy and definitely with jumping 240m,” 33-year-old Naito told FIS.

“This is the first season I’ve done ski flying and it’s been a fantastic season; I have always imagined I could do this, but I’d still like to jump further.”

Johann Forfang (NOR) continued his strong finish to a challenging season with 443.7pots and third.

“It’s good and I’m happy with my performance,” Forfang told FIS after claiming his second FIS World Cup podium finish of the season. “I really love to fly and when the conditions are like today, I just soak in every moment.”

It adds another honor to the Austrian’s impressive end-of-season haul, with Embacher also making history as the first male ski jumper to win three successive World Junior titles earlier this month.

His latest win, combined with the fifth-place finish for Prevc means the Austrian overtakes his Slovenian rival in the overall Ski Flying World Cup standings, with a lead of 15pts.

“I hadn’t really thought about it before the competition as Domen (Prevc) is always on top in sky flying, but today was my day,” continued Embacher.

“Tomorrow I’ll be last to go from the top, which I’m really excited about it.”

VIKERSUND SCHEDULE

Sunday, 22 March:
08.30 - Women's Qualification
09.30 - Women's Ski Flying World Cup
15.45 - Men's Qualification
17.15 - Men's Ski Flying World Cup

*All times are displayed in Central European Time (CET) and are subject to change.