Nika Prevc triumphed at the women’s ski flying event in Vikersund, Norway, on March 15, 2025, with remarkable skill and determination, securing her victory with an impressive jump of 213.5 meters. This win is particularly noteworthy as it marks her eighth consecutive World Cup victory, solidifying her position as one of the dominant forces in the sport.
Prevc's performance left her rivals trailing, most significantly her compatriot Ema Klinec, who finished second with a jump of 204.5 meters, 31.3 points behind. Selina Freitag, the German ski jumper, clinched third place with her jump of 200 meters, 44.1 points adrift of Prevc but making history as well. Freitag's leap marked her as the first German woman to fly over the 200-meter mark, setting a new national record of 202.0 meters, surpassing previous record holder Katharina Schmid's mark of 198.5 meters.
The day began with dramatic weather conditions playing havoc with the competition. Initially, the competition was interrupted when 21 of 22 jumpers had taken off due to strong winds, which raised significant safety concerns. The FIS competition director, Sandro Pertile, made the call to cancel the event after observing the challenging conditions, explaining the risks involved for athletes like Prevc, who was still set to jump. "The wind made my feet go numb, it was really annoying," Freitag remarked, reflecting on the disorienting delays and tension among competitors during the morning event.
The competition was rescheduled for the afternoon after conditions seemed to stabilize, removing the earlier results altogether and allowing the jumpers another chance to showcase their skills. Prevc, who had set the world record on March 14, leapfrogged back to the forefront of the competition like the champion she is. The stakes were high, as this competition was also part of the Raw Air Tour, with Prevc eyeing the 40,000 euros prize awaiting the overall tour champion.
Adding to the day’s commotion was Abigail Strate from Canada, who experienced not one, but two scary moments during her attempts at the jumps. During the initial aborted round, she fell during her landing at 186.5 meters, causing quite the stir among fans and commentators, though fortunately, she escaped uninjured. The unpredictable wind conditions resulted not only in interruptions but also posed the risk of more serious incidents, prompting the necessary safety precautions taken by the event's organizers.
After the restart, competitors stood ready to fight for every point available. Nika Prevc dominated throughout, effortlessly soaring to 213.5 meters to secure first place. Her feat on the day was impressive but overshadowed somewhat by her previous day’s historic achievement of 236.0 meters, the current world record for women’s ski flying, which she accomplished during the training rounds.
Selina Freitag’s accomplishments added to the narrative of the day, as she cemented her place on the podium not only with her performance but also by weathering the tests set forth by the elements. Her jump of 200 meters helped her secure the third place slot, firmly placing her within the ranks of the sport’s upcoming stars. Meanwhile, Katharina Schmid, another German competitor, finished ninth with 178 meters, closely followed by Juliane Seyfarth, who landed at 162.5 meters, securing thirteenth place.
The event highlighted the tenacity and skill of the athletes involved, with the wind providing both challenges and drama throughout the day. Athletes showed resilience as they battled not only against one another but also the forces of nature—a true test of skill, strategy, and courage.
Nika Prevc’s win on her 20th birthday only adds to the lore surrounding her burgeoning career. With her eyes set on the future and the Raw Air tour's final event awaiting for March 16, it seems we are witnessing the rise of one of skiing's greats. Prevc is seen as the clear favorite for this concluding competition, where she hopes to continue her dominance and perhaps etch another victory to her name.
While challenges like wind can deter athletes, the camaraderie and competition seen during this event show the resilience of ski flying, promising plenty of exciting moments to come. Ski fans can look forward to witnessing how these athletes will respond to each new test on their paths to greatness.
Overall, the Vikersund ski flying event served as not just another date on the calendar but as a memorable day for records, personal bests, and impressive displays of skill.