Kristjan Ilves competed in the large hill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics, finishing in seventh place. Despite delivering two strong jumps, the former Nordic combined athlete and current committee chair Vahur Tasane noted that the style points lost in the ski jump did not significantly influence the outcome of the competition. Tasane commented that Ilves's challenges arose primarily from the difficult cross-country trails, which were perhaps too demanding for him during the event.

Tasane elaborated that Ilves performed exceptionally well on the jumping hill, but the climbs and high-altitude conditions of the cross-country segment presented significant obstacles. The top three positions were claimed by the strongest skiers, which highlighted that without being an excellent skier in addition to a strong jumper, podium placement was difficult. Tasane's remarks emphasized that the competition required a balanced skill set across both skiing disciplines, underlining the complexity of the event.

In addition to the overall placement, it was noted that Ilves lost three style points due to a slight backward weight shift upon landing, which could lead to deductions from judges. This suggests that even minor technical errors can impact competitive results in a sport where precision and balance play critical roles, illustrating the slim margins that define success in winter sports.