Winter Olympics 2026: Vinzenz Geiger, the Zen warrior going for a third Nordic combined gold medal

Vinzenz Geiger is determined to add to his medal tally, whatever it takes.

The German already has two Olympic golds and one silver in Nordic combined, the sport where athletes compete in two different Nordic skiing disciplines: cross-country skiing and ski jumping.

Now competing in his third Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026, his ice-cold composure earned the 28-year-old the label of the ‘Zen warrior’, such is his enjoyment of the pressure of competitive sport.

“At the Olympics, it's all about the medals,” Geiger told Olympics.com after finishing 10th in the individual Gundersen normal hill/10km, where he is the reigning champion. “And the rest? I don't care about the rest, whether I come fourth or 10th or 20th.”

Nordic combined has been on the Olympic programme since the very first Olympic Winter Games at Chamonix 1924, one of six sports to be at every Winter Games since.

While Norway have traditionally dominated, talisman Jarl Magnus Riiber, the sport’s most decorated athlete ever, retired last season. The crown is there for the taking and Geiger wants to lay his authority down in the Dolomites.

Milano Cortina 2026: Jens Lurås Oftebrø unleashes late sprint to claim individual Gundersen normal hill/10km gold

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Milano Cortina 2026 – Vinzenz Geiger’s preparations on the football pitch

The beauty of Nordic combined is that athletes must train in two sports, preparing for both the gruelling cross-country distances and the humungous ski jumps.

For Geiger, he adds a third spot to his training regime. The Oberstdorf native is a football fanatic, with his spare time dedicated to playing matches and supporting his beloved FC Bayern München.

However, his love for the beautiful game has its consequences. The double Olympic champion picked up an ankle ligament injury in November, and although he recovered, his coaches banned him from stepping on the pitch while in training mode.

“Football is very important to me because it helps me take my mind off Nordic combined,” Geiger said at Milano Cortina 2026. “[The injury] is not normal, but it was a combination of football and not saying I was injured before continuing with training.

“Now I'm feeling good, which is really important. All the rehabilitation, training and then qualification in Germany has not been easy, with lots of stress and competition. I have the title - it would be very cool to win again - and I think I have a good chance to fight for top spot.”

Geiger also co-hosts a winter sport podcast called ‘Ski Happens’, which he has been running for six seasons alongside racing. There may be a very special episode coming up should the German add to his three Olympic medals at Milano Cortina 2026.

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