Embacher claims stunning victory in vikersund ski flying
Stephan Embacher of Austria soared to victory in the men's ski flying event in Vikersund on March 21, 2026, defeating junior world champion Domen Prevc in a thrilling contest. The 21-year-old Austrian pilot’s consistent jumps propelled him to a total score of 459.1 points, securing his first World Cup win.
Embacher upsets prevc in dramatic ski flying performance
Prevc, the pre-race favorite and reigning ski flying world champion, struggled with a couple of wobbly flights, finishing second with 446.8 points. This result marks a significant upset, showcasing the emerging talent within the Austrian team. The competition saw solid performances from German pilots Andreas Wellinger and Karl Geiger, who managed to climb into the top ten despite a challenging season.
Wellinger, celebrating his third-best result of the season with jumps of 227.0m and 219.0m, commented on the enjoyment of flying, noting that reaching the top 10 has been a rare occurrence this year. Geiger echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction with his performance after a period of struggling to reach the 200-meter mark. The event also saw Philipp Aymon, the Olympic champion, finish in 18th place, though he did improve his personal best to 225.5m in the second round.
The second individual ski flying event in Vikersund is scheduled for Sunday. The unpredictable nature of the sport, combined with the increasing skill of younger athletes, ensures that this season will continue to deliver unexpected outcomes.
Key Results:
- 1st: Stephan Embacher (Austria) - 459.1 points
- 2nd: Domen Prevc (Slovenia) - 446.8 points
- 3rd: Tomofumi Naito (Japan) - 443.7 points