Jens Luraas Oftebro Takes Gold in Men's Nordic Combined

Oftebro wins Norway's seventh gold at Milano Cortina Olympics

Norway's Jens Luraas Oftebro wins gold in Nordic combined at Milano Cortina Olympics.

“It was a ⁠really tough course and loose ‌conditions, so it's really a tough race...” 

Jens Luraas Oftebro secured Norway's seventh gold medal at the Milano Cortina Olympics by winning the men's normal hill Nordic combined event. He overcame challenging slushy conditions and earlier starters to claim his first individual gold medal.

Oftebro started fourth in the ski race, 20 seconds behind Estonia's Kristjan Ilves, who initially led with a 15-second advantage. However, Ilves ultimately finished sixth. Austria's Johannes Lamparter took silver, while Finland's Eero Hirvonen secured bronze, marking Finland's first medal at the Games.

Oftebro started fourth in the ski race, 20 ‌seconds behind Estonia's Kristjan Ilves, who came out of ‌the ski jump with the highest score and a 15-second time advantage.

🇳🇴Olympic Champion 2026 🥇 Jens Lurås Oftebro 🔥

📷 Terje Pedersen / NTB pic.twitter.com/0dRSS7y3FC

— Kombinertlandslaget (@KombinertNorge) February 11, 2026

Ilves kept ahead of the other competitors for the first half of the ‌race, but ultimately finished sixth.

“It was a ⁠really tough course and loose ‌conditions, so it's really a tough race,” said Oftebro, pointing to a near-crash on the third loop of the race. Warmer weather created slushy conditions on Wednesday, which sloshed snow around skis as racers climbed hills on the course.

“It was insanely tough out there. We spent almost half an hour ⁠on the course. I'd done a good job with the jumping, but it was incredibly heavy out there.”

Jens Luraas Oftebro's win is his third Olympic medal, with this being his second gold. He previously won gold in the team large hill event and silver in the individual large hill at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Oftebro's gold is Norway's seventh at these Games and their fourth in an event featuring cross-country skiing. 

Compatriot Johannes Klaebo has secured two gold medals in cross-country skiing, contributing to Norway's impressive performance at the Milano Cortina Olympics. The country has also excelled in biathlon, showcasing its strength in winter sports.

The men's Nordic combined event, held on Wednesday, combines ski jumping and 10km of Nordic skiing. Athletes who perform better in the ski jumping portion get a time advantage in the cross-country ski segment, making it a thrilling competition.

Nordic Combined Results

“The jumping hill was really close this ‌morning. We were all close together with very tight gaps. It was a very hard race - like a selection - but the best won at the end,” said Austria's Lamparter, who clawed back from starting sixth after the ski jump ⁠to claim the silver.