After a short rest following the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the world's top ski jumpers resume FIS World Cup competition with two rounds of ski flying at Kulm in Austria this weekend. Slovenia's Domen Prevc, holder of double Olympic gold, leads the standings and could clinch his first Crystal Globe. Challengers include Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi and Ren Nikaido, both Olympic medalists.
Following a few days of rest after the thrilling Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the world’s best ski jumpers return to FIS World Cup action with two rounds of ski flying at Kulm in Austria. Domen Prevc of Slovenia aims to build on his dominant season after securing double Olympic gold in Predazzo. With ten World Cups remaining, Prevc leads the overall standings with 17 podiums, including 11 wins. He could claim his first Crystal Globe on Sunday if results favor him, completing a standout 12 months that also features World, Flying World, and Four Hills titles.
Prevc holds the world record jump of 245m, set at Planica last year. Kulm's hill record is 244m, achieved by his brother Peter Prevc in 2016, presenting a potential chance for Domen to equal or surpass it.
The athletes closest to Prevc in the standings are Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi and Ren Nikaido. As reigning Ski Flying Worlds Team champions, both earned Olympic mixed team bronze. Nikaido also won normal hill silver and large hill bronze, achieving three medals at the Games.
Prevc's teammate Anze Lanisek of Slovenia seeks to secure his top-five overall position after a varied Olympics. He celebrated mixed team gold with Prevc but placed 26th and 30th in the individual events.
“The Olympic Games were a mix of good days and challenging ones. Ups and downs, happiness and sorrow, winning and losing,” Lanisek said. “But overall, I am satisfied. I look forward to facing new challenges and fulfilling more dreams in the future.”
Host Austria targets a strong performance following their men’s super team Olympic gold. However, seventh-placed Jan Hoerl sits out both events due to a back injury. Competing are Stephan Embacher, Manuel Fettner, and Stefan Kraft, who with Hoerl won Ski Flying Worlds team silver in January. Austria has 299 men’s individual World Cup wins and could become the first nation to reach 300 at Kulm, after Daniel Tschofenig's recent victory in Bischofshofen.
Germany's Philipp Raimund, Milano Cortina 2026 normal hill champion, returns chasing his first World Cup win.
