Finland celebrated a major success in Nordic combined as Ilkka Herola Olympic bronze highlighted the nation’s performance at the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics. The 30-year-old skier finished third in the large hill and 10km event, just 14.8 seconds behind gold medalist Norway’s Jens Lurås Oftebro, who completed the course in 24:45.0. Austria’s Johannes Lamparter claimed silver, 5.9 seconds off the lead.
This bronze represents Finland’s fourth medal of the Games and the second in Nordic combined during the current Olympic fortnight.
After the ski jumping segment, Herola was in seventh place, trailing the leader by 32 seconds. He acknowledged his position was not ideal but signaled a willingness to take risks in the cross-country segment.
Herola quickly narrowed the gap during the early kilometers and joined the leading group before the halfway mark. In the closing stages, Oftebro and Lamparter pulled ahead, but Herola maintained his pace to hold off Norway’s Andreas Skoglund and secure bronze.
“Somehow it feels unreal. A strange feeling,” Herola told Yle after the ceremony. “I have to be proud that I put myself in such condition that the medal did not even require a perfect performance. Surprisingly much went wrong today and still I leave with a medal around my neck. That is the result of long-term work.”
Head coach Antti Kuisma described the medal as the culmination of Herola’s long-term goals.
“This is the biggest dream of his career. A long career and now, at the right time, it comes true,” Kuisma said on Yle.
During the final lap, Herola briefly led the race as competitors positioned for the sprint finish. He later explained that his strategy focused on defending bronze rather than pursuing gold.
“I did not prepare to fight Jens and Johannes. I looked back a lot and tried to keep the gap behind,” Herola said.
In related events on Tuesday, Finland revealed its team sprint selections. Kerttu Niskanen was left out of the women’s race, sparking discussion given her experience in distance events.
Jasmi Joensuu and Jasmin Kähärä will represent Finland in the women’s team sprint. Lauri Vuorinen and Joni Mäki are scheduled for the men’s competition.
Niskanen had expressed interest in competing, but the demanding Val di Fiemme sprint course influenced the decision. The selection prompted debate among fans and commentators about strategy and athlete readiness.
