Slovenia wins fourth medal at 2026 Winter Olympics

Slovenia's ski jumping star Nika Prevc has claimed Olympic bronze in the women's large hill individual event in Italy's Predazzo in what is her third medal at Milano Cortina 2026 and Slovenia's fourth.

The 20-year-old has bagged gold, silver and bronze medals in her first Olympic appearance, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Norway's Anna Odine Stroem, 27, took home gold in the large hill competition on 15 February after winning the normal hill event a week ago as well, and her fellow countrywoman Eirin Maria Kvandal, 24, claimed silver.

Prevc placed fifth in the first round, which was marked by challenging weather conditions, but in the second round she achieved a great jump that catapulted her to the podium and another Olympic medal.

She scored 271.5 points, 13.3 points fewer than the new Olympic champion and 11.2 points fewer than the silver medallist.

This is Prevc's third medal at this year's Winter Olympics after she claimed silver in the normal hill event on 7 February and helped Slovenia defend gold in the mixed team event on 10 February.

Speaking to the public broadcaster, she said she has not yet grasped the significance of what she has accomplished in Milano Cortina.

Prevc pointed out she has now achieved a sweep by winning gold, silver and bronze Olympic medals.

"I've also accumulated a whole range of experiences and emotions," she added.

The current World Cup leader, the world record holder and the world champion in the large hill category did eye Olympic gold in the large hill event, where she usually dominates, but the young phenom acknowledged the enormous pressure that comes with the Olympic Games.

"Throughout the Games I've experienced the desire to succeed as well as fear of failure. After the first round, which was a slightly unfortunate start, I breathed a sigh of relief because I had nothing to lose anymore. The jump [in the second round] was better and I have to be satisfied with this."

Nika Vodan, another Slovenian, finished ninth. A member of the line-up that defended Slovenia's gold in the mixed team event, she regretted her first-round jump, which was still good given the treacherous weather conditions, but was also happy with her second-round performance.

Prevc's older brother Domen won Olympic gold in the men's large hill competition on 14 February, marking Slovenia's first-ever Olympic victory in an individual men's ski jumping event. He was also part of the line-up that claimed Olympic gold in the mixed team competition, where he joined forces with his sister, Vodan and Anže Lanišek.

The ski jumping events in Milano Cortina will wrap up with the men's super team event on 16 February, where Slovenia will be represented by Domen Prevc and Anže Lanišek.

Photo: Anže Malovrh/STA