Philipp Raimund wins gold in thrilling normal hill ski jump at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

PREDAZZO, Italy (AP) — Philipp Raimund of Germany led two other Olympic rookies and a veteran of the Games who never reached the podium past a field of former medalists and world champions to win gold in the men’s normal hill ski jump at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Monday.

With a best jump of 106.5 meters and 274.1 points, Raimund beat Kacper Tomasiak of Poland, who won silver, and Ren Nikaido of Japan who tied with Gregor Deschwanden of Switzerland for the bronze in a thrilling event that came down to the last jump.

Raimund was ranked sixth in the world coming into his first Olympics, with his best result a fourth place in the world championships in the team event and one win in the World Cup circuit.

After the first round, Raimund was in first, Valentin Foubert of France was second and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal of Norway was third.

But Nikaido then landed at 106.5 meters in his final jump, pumping his fist at the result, followed by Deschwanden and Tomasiak who both reached 107 meters.

Foubert and Sundal could not beat those jumps.

Raimund, who was jumping last, needed a big jump and delivered, earning high points for his style.

Deschwanden was the only veteran of the four, competing in his fourth Olympics. His best result was eighth in large hill team event in 2022 in Beijing and sixth in the same event at the 2023 world championships.

The four beat out a field including defending champion Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan, the reigning world champion Marius Lindvik of Norway, two-time Olympic gold medalist Andreas Wellinger and Kamil Stoch, Poland’s most successful ski jumper who owns three Olympic gold medals.

They also beat Domen Prevc, from a powerhouse Slovenian family of decorated ski jumpers, who entered the event as defending world champion on the large hill and the top-ranked skier in the World Cup this season.

Prevc is trying to join his sister, Nika, in becoming the first brother-sister pair to medal in ski jumping at the same Olympics.

Nika Prevc, a defending world champion on both hills and World Cup leader this season, took the silver medal Saturday in the women's normal hill competition.

The normal hill is not Domen Prevc's strength, though he landed his best jump on his final attempt at 105 meters and ended up in sixth place. He is likely to join his sister in the mixed team event Tuesday.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Gregor Deschwanden, of Switzerland, reacts after his first round jump of the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Ren Nikaido, of Japan, soars through the air during his first round jump of the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Kacper Tomasiak, of Poland, right, celebrates with teammates Kamil Stoch and Pawel Wasek, left, after his final round jump during the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Philipp Raimund, of Germany, soars through the air during his final round jump in the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Philipp Raimund, of Germany, celebrates after winning the gold medal in the ski jumping men's normal hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Savannah Guthrie said her family is at their “hour of desperation” in the search for their apparently kidnapped mother, but made no mention of possible ransom in a new video released Monday just hours before a ransom deadline.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities investigating the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie returned to her Arizona neighborhood several times over the weekend, ahead of a Monday evening deadline set by her purported abductors who sent ransom notes demanding money for her return.

The investigation into what happened to the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie entered a second week with still no word on whether the 84-year-old is still alive.

Savannah Guthrie said over the weekend that the family was prepared to pay for her mother’s return.

“We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” she said in a video posted Saturday. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

The mysterious disappearance and search has riveted the U.S. — from President Donald Trump who spoke with Savannah Guthrie last week to the online sleuths who’ve flooded social media with tips, theories and rumors.

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson. She was last seen there on Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church services. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her and her doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.

Outside the home on Monday, neighbors strolled by on their morning jogs and walks, while a county sheriff's deputy remained stationed out front.

Detectives and agents carried out follow-up work at multiple locations over the weekend as part of the investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday. “Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case,” the department said.

Investigators on Saturday were inside daughter Annie Guthrie’s home, about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Nancy Guthrie's house. On Sunday, an investigator was seen using a pole to search an underground tank behind Nancy Guthrie’s home.

Multiple press outlets have received alleged ransom letters during the past week. At least one letter made monetary demands and set deadlines for receiving the money. The first deadline passed last Thursday but a second one was set for Monday.

Law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously.

Authorities say they have growing concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

A person walks a dog as members of the Pima County sheriffs office remains outside of Nancy Guthrie's home, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

A member of the Pima County sheriffs office remains outside of Nancy Guthrie's home, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

FILE - This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff's Department via AP, File)

A member of the Pima County sheriffs office stands by his truck looking at Nancy Guthrie‘s house, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Lit candles next to a sign from neighbors supporting the Guthrie family outside of Nancy Guthrie’s house in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)