Slovenia celebrates first-ever men’s Olympic ski jumping gold

Capping off a dominant season, Domen Prevc captured gold on the large hill at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, delivering Slovenia's first-ever Olympic victory in a men's individual ski jumping event.

Prevc launched his decisive attack from second place in the final round, soaring to the longest jump of the day to seal the title, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The triumph crowned a remarkable run of form for the Slovenian, already the runaway World Cup leader as well as reigning Four Hills champion and ski flying world champion.

The victory also served as redemption after a disappointing sixth-place finish on the normal hill earlier in the Games, an event won by Germany's Philipp Raimund.

Prevc had already rebounded by helping Slovenia, alongside his sister Nika Prevc, to mixed team gold, but the individual title had remained his main objective.

Japan's Ren Nikaido, who led after the opening round, settled for silver after being overtaken by Prevc's superb second jump. Poland's young Kacper Tomasiak claimed bronze.

"I don't know, right now it feels like I'm watching a movie. It feels like something is happening and I'm just watching from the background to see what this Domen kid is doing," the pre-event favourite said in his first interview with TV Slovenija.

"It is something magical, something wonderful. Plus, the attack in the second round, a bit of drama... for me, this was a thoroughly enjoyable competition, especially given the way I finished it."

The win carries added significance for the famed Slovenian ski jumping family: Prevc's older brothers, Peter and Cene, have both won Olympic medals but never gold in the individual competition.

It was a difficult day for his teammates. Anže Lanišek struggled throughout and finished 30th after barely qualifying for the final round, while Timi Zajc placed 34th.

On Sunday, the women compete on the same hill, where Nika Prevc, already a mixed team gold medallist and normal hill silver medallist, will bid for her third medal of the Games.

Photo:Matej Družnik/Delo/STA