Ski Jumping at Milano Cortina 2026

There Is No Feeling in Sport Quite Like Flight

What does it feel like to launch yourself off a ramp at 90 km/h and soar through the air for six full seconds? Ski jumpers describe it as the closest thing to human-powered flight — a brief, silent suspension where technique, body position, and wind reading determine whether you land at 130 meters or 140 meters. That 10-meter gap is the difference between gold and off the podium.

Ski jumping at Milano Cortina 2026 takes place at the Predazzo ski jumping complex in Val di Fiemme, featuring both the normal hill (HS 106) and the large hill (HS 140). The venue has hosted World Championships and is well-known to the jumping community. Five medal events are scheduled: individual normal hill and large hill for men and women, plus a mixed team event.

How Scoring Works

Ski jumping is scored on two components: distance and style. Distance points are calculated based on how far beyond the K-point (a calculated par distance) the athlete lands. Style points come from five judges who evaluate the jumper’s form during flight and landing — body position, ski alignment, and the telemark landing (one ski forward, one back, arms out) each matter.

The in-run speed is equalized through gate adjustments, and wind compensation points are added or subtracted based on conditions. This system, introduced to reduce the impact of variable wind, means that a shorter jump in unfavorable wind can actually score well — so don’t assume the longest jump always wins.

Each competition consists of two rounds. After the first round, the top 30 qualifiers advance to the second round, jumping in reverse order of first-round scores (the leader jumps last). The pressure of jumping last, with the crowd watching and the target distance known, produces some of the most dramatic moments in the Winter Olympics.

The V-Style and Modern Technique

Modern ski jumpers use the V-style — skis spread in a V formation during flight — which creates a larger surface area and generates more lift than the old parallel style. Body position in the air is critical: jumpers lean forward at extreme angles, using their bodies as airfoils. The difference between a great flight and a mediocre one often comes down to the first fraction of a second after takeoff, when the athlete sets their body angle.

Who’s Favored

Stefan Kraft of Austria is the benchmark in men’s ski jumping. A former World Cup overall champion and holder of the world record (at 253.5 meters on a ski flying hill), Kraft combines explosive takeoff power with exceptional in-air technique. He’s been remarkably consistent across multiple seasons and enters Cortina as the man to beat.

Slovenia’s depth is remarkable for a nation of two million people. Anže Lanišek and Timi Zajc have both posted World Cup victories, and Slovenia’s team event pedigree makes them a mixed team gold contender.

On the women’s side, Sara Takanashi of Japan has been chasing Olympic individual gold for her entire career — she’s the most decorated women’s ski jumper in World Cup history but has been denied on the biggest stage. At 29, Cortina may represent her best remaining chance. Germany’s Katharina Althaus, the Beijing normal hill silver medalist, is the primary rival.

The U.S. ski jumping program is smaller than European counterparts but has produced competitive athletes. The mixed team event, where nations field two men and two women, gives the U.S. its best shot at a result.

Watching Tips

Pay attention to wind holds. When judges determine that conditions are unsafe or unfair, competition pauses. These holds break rhythm and test mental fortitude. Also, watch the telemark landing — judges reward it heavily, and the difference between a clean telemark and a two-footed landing can swing the style score by 5-6 points.

Athletes to Watch

Stefan Kraft (AUT, Normal Hill / Large Hill) — The Austrian star holds the ski jumping world record and has been the most consistent performer on the World Cup circuit, making him the gold-medal favorite on both hills.

Sara Takanashi (JPN, Normal Hill) — The all-time women’s World Cup wins leader has never won individual Olympic gold despite dominating the sport for a decade — Cortina may be her final chance to complete the career grand slam.

Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR, Normal Hill / Large Hill) — The Norwegian has been one of the most explosive jumpers on tour, capable of massive distances when he connects on his timing at takeoff.

Katharina Althaus (GER, Normal Hill) — The two-time Olympic silver medalist in women’s normal hill brings proven big-event consistency and a hunger to finally reach the top of the podium.

Anže Lanišek (SLO, Normal Hill / Large Hill / Mixed Team) — Slovenia’s leading jumper anchors one of the deepest national teams in the sport and has produced multiple World Cup victories in the 2024-26 seasons.

Venue Spotlight

The Predazzo ski jumping complex in Val di Fiemme features both a normal hill (HS 106) and a large hill (HS 140) that have hosted multiple World Championships. The venue sits in a scenic valley in Trentino with generally favorable wind conditions for jumping. Significant upgrades to the judge’s tower, athlete facilities, and spectator areas have been completed for the 2026 Games.