Who is Nika Prevc?

The Early Years: Foundations of a Champion

Family Background and Introduction to Ski Jumping

To understand Nika Prevc, one must begin with her origins. Born on March 15, 2005, in Kranj, Slovenia, she grew up in a family deeply intertwined with ski jumping. The Prevc household is famously known for producing elite ski jumpers: her older brothers – Peter, Cene, and Domen – all became accomplished at the sport, with Peter especially noted in the men’s discipline for his high achievements, and Domen emerging as one of the world’s best in his own right. Skiing was not merely a hobby but a family vocation, a way of life that shaped Nika’s upbringing.

Their father, Božidar Prevc, who worked as a ski jumping referee internationally in addition to running a furniture business, ensured the children’s lives were never far from the slopes. Nika’s earliest exposure to ski jumping came not in isolation – but through a household full of athletes, supportive parents, and relentless conversations about technique, air time, and physical conditioning. It was a fertile soil in which a champion could grow.

From age 13, when she made her official debut at a FIS Alpen Cup competition in Klingenthal, Germany, Prevc showed promise that would quickly turn into dominance. Soon she was topping podiums, winning Alpen Cup events, and proving that the Prevc legacy would continue in the women’s ranks.

Rise to Elite Status: Early Career Highlights

Breaking Through in Continental and World Cup Competition

As Nika transitioned from junior to senior competition, it became clear that her raw talent was matched by an ability to perform under pressure. In 2021 and 2022, she honed her skills in Continental Cup and Alpen Cup events, gradually demonstrating that her technique and competitive mindset were evolving faster than most peers.

By the time she entered regular World Cup competition in the 2022–23 season, her rise was meteoric. Prevc’s combination of powerful takeoffs, aerodynamic form, and mental acuity allowed her to quickly ascend through the rankings. Her early World Cup podiums signaled to the ski jumping world that a new star was emerging — one capable of challenging long-standing champions and rewriting the record books.

Dominance on the World Stage: 2024–2025 Seasons

Crystal Globes and World Cup Supremacy

By the 2024 season, Prevc had established herself as a dominant force on the World Cup circuit. She won the overall World Cup title in 2024, a significant achievement in itself — but this was just the beginning. She successfully defended her title in 2025, demonstrating consistency and resilience across a grueling competition schedule.

Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Prevc amassed dozens of individual World Cup victories, solidifying her status as one of the most successful ski jumpers of all time. By early 2026, her World Cup resume included 35 individual wins and over 50 podiums — remarkable numbers for someone so young and already a multi-season leader.

Notably, during the 2025 portion of the 2025–26 World Cup season, she demonstrated consistent excellence. She claimed multiple victories in Villach and Ljubno, earning her overall World Cup lead as the circuit progressed toward the 2026 Winter Olympics.

World Championships Glory

Prevc’s brilliance wasn’t confined to the World Cup alone. At the 2025 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, she achieved a milestone moment by winning both the normal hill and large hill individual titles — a rare accomplishment that showcased her versatility across event formats.

This double triumph cemented Prevc’s reputation as not just a World Cup leader, but a world champion — capable of producing her best performances when the stakes were highest. Her victories were decisive, outsprinting seasoned competitors and establishing historic benchmarks.

Record-Breaking Flight: The 236-Meter Leap

No discussion of Prevc’s career would be complete without highlighting her extraordinary feat in March 2025 at Vikersund, Norway. There, she achieved two jumps of 236 meters during training on the ski flying hill — a distance far beyond any previous woman’s performance at the time. This leap set a new benchmark for women’s ski jumping and drew international attention to her incredible athletic capacity.

While ski flying records have complex status within the formal rules of the sport, the impact of Prevc’s 236-meter flight cannot be understated: it pushed the boundaries of what women in the sport could achieve and inspired a generation of jumpers to rethink their own limits.

The Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics

2025–26 Season: Momentum and Expectations

Entering the 2025–26 World Cup season, Nika Prevc was widely recognised as the favorite and a likely Olympic gold contender. Her performances leading up to the Olympics — with multiple World Cup wins and a commanding position atop the standings — underscored her readiness.

Fans and analysts alike expected her to dominate women’s ski jumping events in Milano Cortina 2026. With a strong season under her belt and a history of winning on home and international stages, Prevc’s momentum was undeniable.

Milano Cortina 2026: Triumph and Near Misses

Silver in the Women’s Normal Hill Individual

At the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, Prevc entered the women’s normal hill individual event as a leading contender. Despite her dominance in the season and strong jumps in the trial rounds, she finished just 1.1 points behind Norway’s Anna Odine Stroem, earning the Olympic silver medal.

This tiny margin highlighted the razor-thin margins in elite ski jumping — where wind, timing, and technique all play crucial roles. While Prevc did not achieve the gold many predicted, her silver still cemented her status as one of the best in the world, and she displayed remarkable poise in a high-pressure environment where expectations were extraordinary.

Gold in the Mixed Team Event

Redemption, however, came swiftly. In the mixed team ski jumping event, Prevc joined forces with her brother Domen Prevc, Nika Vodan, and Anže Lanišek, and together they delivered a commanding performance that secured the Olympic gold medal for Slovenia.

This victory was historic for multiple reasons. Not only did it demonstrate Slovenia’s strength in ski jumping, but it also marked a rare brother-sister Olympic gold achievement. The win showcased teamwork, national pride, and individual excellence woven together in Olympic success.

Character and Mental Strength

Handling Pressure and Expectations

Prevc’s career has not just been about physical talent; it’s equally about mental strength. The enormity of expectation placed upon her — especially in Olympic contexts — could easily unsettle even the most seasoned athletes.

Yet, Prevc has consistently demonstrated resilience. Her honest reflections on narrowly missing gold in the individual event reflect not just disappointment, but a growth mindset: she acknowledged the pressure, learned from the experience, and helped lead her team to glory shortly afterward.

The Broader Impact: Women’s Ski Jumping and Legacy

Prevc’s influence transcends medals. Her success has helped elevate women’s ski jumping — a discipline that hasn’t always received the same visibility as men’s competitions — into the broader spotlight. Young athletes worldwide now see what is possible when talent and dedication intersect.

Her 236-meter leap at Vikersund — even as a training milestone — challenged long-held perceptions about the limits of female ski jumpers. Competitors and fans alike have noted that Prevc’s performances are not just exceptional for women — they are exceptional full stop.

Conclusion: A Defining Athlete of Her Era

Nika Prevc’s story is one of continued excellence. From her early breakthroughs, through World Cup dominance, to world championship double titles and Olympic success, her career trajectory has been steep, memorable, and inspiring.

As of early 2026, her tally includes:

Multiple FIS World Cup overall titles.
Numerous individual World Cup victories.
World Championship double titles.
Olympic medals (silver individual and gold team).
Historic jumps that expanded the boundaries of the sport.