Jens Luraas Oftebro won gold. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

A Norwegian completes the double gold coup

A Norwegian Nordic combined skier has secured his second gold medal at the Olympic Games.

February 17, 2026

From: dpa/sn

Jens Luraas Oftebro won his second gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, making a strong statement. In the individual Gundersen (large hill/10 km) event at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, the Norwegian skied a tactically astute race: After finishing fifth in the jumping portion (132,5 m) and trailing Ryota Yamamoto, who was leading at the halfway point, he caught up with Johannes Lamparter, who had started the race in second place after the jump, before the halfway mark. Shortly after kilometer 8,7, Oftebro launched his decisive attack and crossed the finish line with a clear lead.

Lamparter secured silver, while Ilkka Herola won his first Olympic medal with bronze. "I dreamed of a gold medal – winning two is something very special," said Oftebro, who admitted to having struggled with problems on the ski jump this season and yet delivered his best jump in the most important competition.

Kostner in the top 20

Two South Tyroleans, Aaron Kostner (St. Ulrich) and Samuel Costa (Wolkenstein), were among the competitors on Tuesday. Kostner achieved his second-best result of the season, finishing in 18th place (+3:11.0 minutes). His teammate Costa crossed the finish line in 23rd place (+3:41.0). Both athletes staged a small comeback: at the halfway point, Kostner was in 27th place (110,8 points) thanks to a jump of 120,0 meters, while Costa followed closely behind with 116,0 meters (28th/106,0). The final Olympic Nordic combined event, the team sprint, is scheduled for Thursday (10:00/14:00).