Jan Hörl is an Olympic champion. © APA / EXPA/ JFK

Hörl and Embacher rescue Austria's ski jumpers

Jan Hörl and Stephan Embacher seized their last chance on Monday evening, securing an Olympic medal for the Austrian men's ski jumping team. And it's a gold medal, no less.

February 16, 2026

From: leo/apa

The 27-year-old from Salzburg and the only 20-year-old from Tyrol celebrated a start-to-finish victory in the competition with only two rounds and crowned themselves Olympic champions in the new Olympic super team event in Predazzo ahead of Poland and Norway.

Hörl got the competition off to a perfect start for Austria, putting his team in the lead with a jump of 137,5 meters. Olympic debutant Embacher (132 meters) defended this lead in the first round. Despite difficult crosswind conditions, Hörl then managed a jump of 128 meters, a jump that proved crucial in the final standings. When Embacher then sailed to 139 meters, the longest jump of the day, in the rapidly changing conditions, Austria was clearly on course for gold, 21,4 points ahead of Poland.

Pawel Wasek and Kacper Tomasiak won silver. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

In the third round, with only eight teams remaining, the weather and a very hesitant jury created more tension than necessary. After Hörl jumped 137,5 meters, further securing his gold medal, heavy snowfall suddenly began six jumpers before the end. Following a lengthy delay, the third round was abandoned, and the results were based on only four jumps instead of six.

Insam with a conciliatory ending

Alex Insam and Giovanni Bresadola, meanwhile, delivered impressive performances. Bresadola, who had missed the second round in the individual competition, jumped 132,5 meters and, despite difficult conditions, 126 meters. This played a crucial role in Italy breaking into the top 10 and ultimately finishing in ninth place.

Alex Insam put on a good show in the competition. © ANSA / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

Bresadola also impressed with jumps of 131 and 128 meters. However, the third round, which was subsequently cancelled, was denied to the Italians, as only the top eight teams were allowed to compete in it. Nevertheless, the result provided a satisfying conclusion to the Olympic Games.