Germany's Philipp Raimund Claims Stunning Ski Jump Gold with Clutch Final Round at Milano Cortina 2026

Philipp Raimund of Germany delivered a career-defining performance on Monday, February 9, 2026, soaring to gold in the men's ski jumping normal hill competition at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old, making his Olympic debut, produced a monstrous final jump of 138.5 points—the highest mark of the day—to clinch Germany's second gold medal of the 2026 Games.

With Poland's Kacper Tomasiak setting a formidable benchmark of 137.9 in the penultimate jump, all eyes turned to Raimund as he prepared for his final attempt. The pressure was immense, but the German rose to the occasion with remarkable composure. His jump of 106.5 meters in the final round, combined with his solid first-round effort of 102.0 meters, gave him a winning total of 274.1 points. The clutch performance under pressure showcased the mental fortitude that separates Olympic champions from the rest.

Tomasiak, who had momentarily held the lead, settled for silver with his impressive 137.9-point performance. The bronze medal was shared in a rare tie between Japan's Nikaido Ren and Switzerland's Gregor Deschwanden, both delivering strong performances throughout the competition. The shared podium spot added an extra layer of drama to an already thrilling final.

This gold medal marks Germany's first ski jumping Olympic title since Andreas Wellinger's triumph at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, ending an eight-year drought for the historically dominant nation in the sport. Raimund's victory is particularly significant as it comes from a relatively unexpected source—the young jumper was not among the pre-tournament favorites. His cousin is a professional footballer, and the family's athletic pedigree clearly runs deep.

The men's normal hill competition took place at the ski jumping venue in Val di Fiemme, where unpredictable wind conditions made consistency crucial. Raimund's ability to maintain his composure and deliver when it mattered most demonstrated the champion's mentality that defines Olympic glory. His technical precision and fearless approach in the final round allowed him to maximize both distance and style points.

Germany now sits in strong position in the overall medal count at Milano Cortina 2026, with this ski jumping gold adding to their growing tally. For Raimund, this debut Olympic appearance could not have gone better, as he joins the elite club of athletes who win gold at their first Games. The question now is whether he can build on this momentum in the large hill competition later in the Olympic schedule.