Austria's Jan Hoerl and Stephan Embacher have claimed Olympic gold in the inaugural Super Team event at Milano Cortina 2026, making history in ski jumping.
The Austrian duo secured the victory after competition officials cancelled the third and final round due to deteriorating weather conditions. The decision came after two completed rounds had established a clear picture of the standings, with Hoerl and Embacher holding the lead.
The Super Team format represents a new addition to the Olympic ski jumping programme, making its debut at these Games. The event combines individual performances in a team-based competition structure, adding a fresh dynamic to the traditional ski jumping disciplines that have been part of the Winter Olympics for decades.
Historic Gold for Austria
For Austria, this gold medal continues the nation's strong tradition in ski jumping. Both Hoerl and Embacher demonstrated the technical precision and mental fortitude required at the highest level of competition, maintaining their composure through challenging conditions that ultimately led to the cancellation of the final round.
The weather-related cancellation is not uncommon in ski jumping, where wind conditions and visibility play crucial roles in athlete safety and fair competition. International Ski Federation (FIS) protocols dictate strict parameters for competition conditions, and officials opted to conclude the event after two rounds rather than risk athlete safety or compromise the integrity of the results.
New Format Makes Olympic Debut
The Super Team event's introduction to the Olympic programme reflects ongoing efforts to innovate and expand winter sports competition formats. The format has been tested in World Cup circuits prior to its Olympic debut, allowing athletes and teams to familiarize themselves with its unique demands.
With the third round cancelled, the standings from the first two rounds determined the final medal positions. The decision to award medals based on the completed rounds follows established FIS competition rules for such circumstances, ensuring that the athletes' performances in safe conditions would count toward the final result.
This Olympic gold adds another chapter to Austria's storied ski jumping legacy and marks a memorable moment as the first-ever champions of the Super Team format at the Winter Games.
