In the first-ever ski jump event of the Nordic Combined World Cup in Kulm, Austria, athlete Kristjan Ilves struggled during the initial competition day. With two training jumps and a qualification round scheduled, Ilves recorded a distance of 186 meters, earning him a score of 113.2 points, which left him in 18th place. This event marks a gathering of elite competitors, as evidenced by Ilves' earlier Olympic success in the jump competition, but it appears that the transition to the ski jump hill was challenging for many.

The reigning Olympic champion Jens Luraas Oftebro also faced difficulties, finishing in 22nd with a jump of 183.5 meters and 105.6 points. In contrast, Johannes Lamparter, the overall leader of the World Cup, excelled on the jump hill, achieving a remarkable 232 meters and 164.1 points. His performance set a high standard for the competition, showcasing the variance in competitors’ skills on this particular venue.

During the second training round, both Ilves and Oftebro improved their standings slightly, but Ilves remained outside the top ten. His subsequent performance in the PCR (Preliminary Qualification Round), meant to determine entries for the upcoming competition, yielded a jump of 201.5 meters but still did not secure him a place in the top echelon. As the event progresses, Ilves will need to refine his technique to keep up with the leaders in subsequent rounds of the World Cup series.