PREDAZZO, Italy – The dream of an Olympic medal slipped just beyond Anežka Indráčková’s grasp on Sunday, but the 19-year-old Czech ski jumper isn’t letting a disappointing second jump overshadow the progress she’s making on the world stage. Indráčková finished 21st in the women’s normal hill competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, a result that, while not the podium finish she’d hoped for, represents a significant step forward for the rising star of Czech ski jumping. The competition was ultimately won by Norway’s Anna Odine Strøm, who edged out Slovenia’s Nika Prevc by a mere 1.1 points.
Indráčková had shown promise in the first round, landing a jump of 125 meters. “It probably needed a bit better landing, I respect that, but otherwise I really enjoyed the jump. I had even better positions in training here,” she said after the initial round, according to reports. She entered the second round just four points off medal contention, but a late takeoff and unsteady flight resulted in a jump of 116 meters, dropping her three places in the final standings. Despite the setback, Indráčková remained upbeat.
A Mixed Day for the Czech Team
The Czech team’s performance was a study in contrasts. While Indráčková battled through a challenging second jump, two of her teammates faced different hurdles. Veronika Jenčová did not compete, opting to rest a recently operated-on knee as a precautionary measure. Klára Ulrichová struggled in the first round, achieving a distance of 104.5 meters and earning 80.3 points, leaving her well outside the qualifying range for the second round and finishing in 43rd place. She had placed five spots higher on the normal hill at the previous Olympics.
Indráčková, however, managed to improve upon her previous Olympic performance. She had been the youngest member of the Czech delegation at the 2022 Beijing Games. “I’m quite unhappy with how I took off late, and my skis kicked me, causing problems,” Indráčková explained. “But I don’t wish to cry about it or let it ruin my Olympic spirit.”
Strøm’s Upset Victory and Prevc’s Silver
The women’s normal hill competition ultimately belonged to Anna Odine Strøm, who secured the gold medal with jumps of 101 and 100 meters. Skoky.net reports that Strøm’s victory was somewhat unexpected, as Eirin Maria Kvandal had been widely considered Norway’s strongest contender for gold. Strøm’s performance was a testament to her consistent training and ability to perform under pressure.
Nika Prevc, the pre-competition favorite, took home the silver medal with jumps of 98 and 99.5 meters. The Slovenian jumper, whose brother had won the men’s large hill competition the previous day, appeared to experience the weight of expectations. Japan’s Nozomi Maruyama rounded out the podium, earning the bronze medal with jumps of 97 and 100 meters – her first Olympic medal in her debut Games.
Looking Ahead to Lillehammer
Despite the disappointment of not reaching the podium in Predazzo, Indráčková is already setting her sights on the future. She is preparing to compete at the Junior World Championships in Lillehammer in three weeks’ time. “I want to really show my form there,” she said, demonstrating a determined spirit and a commitment to continued improvement. The Junior World Championships will provide another opportunity for Indráčková to test her skills against the world’s best young ski jumpers and build momentum for future competitions.
The 2026 Winter Olympics continue in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with events scheduled across a wide range of winter sports. For the latest updates and results, visit the official Olympic website. The next event for the Czech ski jumping team will be the women’s large hill competition, where Indráčková hopes to build on her experience and deliver a strong performance.
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