The Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina 2026 will feature Olympic Ski Jumping events in the traditional formats: normal hill and large hill. As the competition approaches, teams from traditional Olympic Ski Jumping strongholds like Norway, Austria, and Poland, as well as rising contenders, will be gearing up for high-stakes performances. Expect a dynamic contest with potential new stars and seasoned champions battling for medals.
In the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, Norway’s Espen Bredesen made a significant impact by winning gold medals in both the normal and large hills. His remarkable performance underscored Norway's dominance in the sport during the early 1990s and highlighted the country's strong presence in ski jumping.
The 1998 Nagano Games introduced new talents to the forefront of Olympic Ski Jumping. Finland’s Janne Ahonen won gold in the large hill event, while Germany’s Jens Weißflog secured gold in the normal hill. This period marked Finland’s rise as a competitive force and showcased the evolving dynamics of the sport. The 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics saw Austria's Andreas Kofler achieving victory in the large hill event, a significant milestone for Austria in ski jumping. Meanwhile, Germany’s Sven Hannawald won the normal hill event, demonstrating his exceptional skill and contributing to Germany’s continued success in the sport.
At the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, Finland’s Matti Hautamaki took gold in the large hill, and Norway’s Lars Bystoel won gold in the normal hill. This Winter Olympic Games highlighted Finland’s emerging strength in ski jumping and signaled a shift in the competitive landscape of the sport. The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics were memorable for Switzerland’s Simon Ammann, who won gold in both the normal and large hills. Ammann’s double gold achievement not only affirmed his exceptional talent but also reinforced Switzerland’s prominent position in ski jumping.
The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics were marked by Poland’s Kamil Stoch, who clinched gold in both the normal and large hills. This was a landmark moment for Polish ski jumping, showcasing Stoch’s dominance and reflecting Poland’s growing stature in the sport. In the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, Kamil Stoch continued his success by winning gold in the normal hill, while Norway’s Andreas Stjernen took gold in the large hill event. The competition was intense, with Stoch reaffirming his top status and Stjernen highlighting Norway’s ongoing strength in ski jumping.
The Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 featured Austria’s Stefan Kraft winning gold in the normal hill and Poland’s Dawid Kubacki taking gold in the large hill. These results emphasized the competitive nature of ski jumping and highlighted the emergence of new talents on the Olympic stage.
Recent decades have seen Norway, Austria, and Poland as dominant nations in Olympic Ski Jumping, with each country achieving significant successes and consistently delivering strong performances. Meanwhile, Switzerland, Finland, and Germany have also made notable contributions, showcasing the sport’s dynamic and evolving nature. As the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, the rich history of ski jumping will continue to shape the competition, with both established and rising nations vying for the top spots.