Raimund crowned Olympic Champion in historic Normal Hill showdown

He has never won a World Cup race, but Philipp Raimund (GER) is now an Olympic Champion. The German was flawless from start to finish on the Normal Hill in Predazzo in a stunning start to the man’s competition at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

It was a landmark final in so many ways, as the competition ended with four medalists - none of whom had previously won an Olympic medal. Kacper Tomasiak (POL) claimed silver in his first full season of competition for Poland’s first medal of the Games. Ren Nikaido (JPN) and Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) shared bronze after both had broken the Hill record in Predazzo with jumps of 106.5m and 107m.

When asked if this was the best day of his life Raimund said:

“I think so! I think nothing can top this one especially for sport. I’m extremely proud of myself that I brought it down with two perfect jumps - the perfect timing for the Olympic Winter Games.”

Tomasiak is celebrating silver in his Olympic debut at just 19 years of age.

"I'm very happy but also tired from all the emotions,” he said.

“I felt a huge pressure just before the jump when I was sitting at the gate but I don’t really remember it in the air.”

For bronze medalist Deschwanden, it’s a return to form at the best possible time after a tough season so far.

“I’m really glad that it worked out so well today. Two times the longest jumps as well, I have a medal, the good jumps and good landings.

“I could not imagine we would have the same points for a medal!" smiled Nikaido.

Raimund was in superb form on the Predazzo Normal Hill ever since the first Official Training session on Thursday. In the opening round, he took the lead with 135.6pts thanks to a jump of 102m. But Valentin Foubert (FRA), also making his Olympic debut, was just one point behind, his effort of 102m earning 134.6pts.

At that stage just five points separated leader Raimund from 8th placed Domen Prevc (SLO). No one had ever successfully defended the Men’s Olympic Normal Hill title and the reigning champion from Beijing 2022, Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN), found himself down in 7th place after the opener.

In the final round, the top 10 upped their game. Kobayashi jumped 104m followed by Stephan Embacher (AUT) landing 105.5m to increase the pressure on the leaders. And when Prevc found his best jump in Predazzo so far with 105m, it looked like the World Cup leader might follow sister Nika onto the Normal Hill podium.

But Deschwanden and Nikaido were unfazed, jumping 107m and 106.5m to tie their scores on 266pts and retake the lead from the Slovenian. Foubert couldn’t match them, dropping from second to fourth to guarantee the Swiss/Japanese pair a medal. With just Tomasiak and Raimund to jump, the only question was what color that medal would be.

Tomasiak rose to the challenge, equalling Deschwanden’s new Hill record of 107m, leaving Raimund with no room for error if he was to take gold. But despite the pressure, the German once again landed a flawless jump. His distance of 106.5m coupled with execution scores of 19.0 and 19.5 ensured he would become only the fifth German in history to win an individual Olympic Ski Jumping title.   

There won't be much time for celebration though, with the Mixed Team competition taking place less than 24 hours later.