Kristjan Ilves, an Estonian Nordic combined athlete, competed in a groundbreaking ski jumping event in Kulm, Austria, where he secured 12th place. At the first-ever ski jumping competition in the history of the World Cup series, he achieved a jump distance of 192 meters, earning 171.3 points, which tied him with Austria's Franz-Josef Rehrl. Ilves began the cross-country skiing segment 48 seconds behind leader Johannes Lamparter, who set an impressive distance record of 236.5 meters and finished with 207.6 points to claim first place.

During the 7.5-kilometer ski leg, Ilves managed to rise three positions before crossing the finish line in 12th place, concluding the race 27.7 seconds behind the Finnish competitor Ilkka Herola, who secured his first World Cup stage victory of the season with a narrow 0.1-second win over Lamparter. The event marked a significant point for Herola, as he described it as a special place for winning. Both Ilves and Herola displayed commendable performances, showcasing strong competition in the Nordic combined discipline.

This competition not only spotlighted the excellence of these athletes but also emphasized the significance of the historic event for the World Cup series. As the inaugural ski jumping competition, it set a new benchmark for future events while highlighting the evolving nature of the sport and the athletes' dedication to pushing boundaries in Nordic events, particularly in Finland and Estonia, which have strong legacies in winter sports.