Estonian athlete Kristjan Ilves is set to begin first in the ski event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, specifically in the Nordic combined competition. The event will be broadcast live by ETV and the ERR sports portal, featuring commentary from Kristjan Kalkun and Kaarel Nurmsalu, with Johannes Vedru reporting on site. Ilves has secured a leading position after a strong ski jump performance, which puts him ahead of his competitors going into the cross-country skiing component.

Ilves achieved a remarkable jump of 99 meters, earning 132.6 points, which places him at a 15-second advantage over Austrian competitor Thomas Rettenegger, who jumped 100 meters and scored 128.9 points. Japanese athlete Ryota Yamamoto takes third place, starting 19 seconds behind Ilves after scoring 127.8 points. This performance is significant for Ilves, who expressed elation at leading after two years without a major competitive position.

The atmosphere around the event is heightened as Ilves reflects on his consistency over the past three days, indicating that this achievement has not come without effort. He noted that even in moments of struggle, he maintained competitive integrity by securing fifth or sixth places. The mixed feelings of excitement and pressure illustrate the personal stakes for Ilves as he approaches the final stages of the competition, with his past experience potentially playing a role in how he performs in the upcoming cross-country events.