2026 Olympics: Jens Luraas Oftebro sovereign on skis
Six days after winning the small jump gundersen, Jens Luraas Oftebro dominated the large jump gundersen at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina. On Tuesday 17 February in Tesero (Italy), the Norwegian finished solo in a controlled race to win gold once again. On the Val di Fiemme track, he confirmed by example that he is indeed the best cross-country skier on the world Nordic combined stage.
Austrian Johannes Lamparter caught up with Japan’s Ryota Yamamoto at the start of the race, but initially isolated himself at the head of the race and tried to go it alone. He had an advantage of up to 18 seconds at the quarter-hour mark, before seeing the eventual winner and Finland’s Ilkka Herola catch up with him after 4 of the 10 km. Norwegian Andreas Skoglund came close to joining the trio, but was five seconds behind and never came back. He finally finished 4th, 42 seconds back.
A decisive attack with 1 km to go
After letting his rivals work, Jens Luraas Oftebro took on his responsibilities on the final lap. On the course’s big hill, he accelerated, leaving Ilkka Herola behind for a while. Then he attacked incisively, leaving Johannes Lamparter in his wake. In the end, he won by 6 seconds from the Austrian and 15 seconds from the Finn.
“My very good jump [5th], my best on this big jump, gave me a great opportunity afterwards. On the track, I had targeted this penultimate hill to attack. Arriving with a lead means you can take advantage, it was unforgettable”, the Norwegian told the FIS at the finish. ” I’d been waiting a long time for this medal [fourth Olympic appearance]! I was so tired on the last lap. I didn’t have the strength to fight with Johannes and Jens,” an emotional Ilkka Herola toldEurosport.
Three Frenchmen in the top 20
Five different nations finished in the top 10, with Estonia’s Kristjan Ilves 7th and Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger and Johannes Rydzek 9th and 10th.
Marco Heinis finished as the best Frenchman. After sprinting all the way to the line, he finished 14th, at 2 min 24, having started with bib number 10. His two compatriots also finished in the top 20: Maël Tyrode was 17th (+3 min 03) and Laurent Muhlethaler 20th (+3 min 22).
The full rankings for the men’s Gundersen springboard event
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