Nordic Combined is a sport that includes ski jumping and cross-country skiing. These two disciplines are performed independently, but are coordinated to determine a champion. Ready to learn all about Nordic Combined? Come with us!
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All about Nordic Combined: history of the sport
The Nordic combined had its origins in the mid-19th century. The first major competition took place only in 1892, in Oslo, Norway.
For centuries in the northern hemisphere, skis were essential for hunting and gathering firewood during the winter;.
Due to the great distances between the small and isolated communities, along with the harsh winters and heavy snowfalls, skiing has also become an important means of promoting social contact.
The Norwegian word “ski” originates from the term “skid”, which in Old Norse means a piece of wood split in half.
The renowned Holmenkollen Ski Festival began in 1892, with the Nordic combined as the main attraction.
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The festival quickly became popular, attracting skiers from Sweden and other neighboring countries.
Interestingly, King Olav V of Norway was a jumper and competed in this festival during the 1920s.
This sport was first presented at the 1924 Winter Olympics and has been part of the event ever since.
Initially, the cross-country ski race was held before the ski jumps. This order was reversed in the 1950s.
Until recently, the International Ski Federation did not allow women to compete in the sport.
However, in 2016, the first women’s competitions took place, and the Women’s Nordic Combined was included in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
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All about Nordic Combined: rules and regulations
The jumps are the first stage of the competition. In this phase, the judges award points to the athletes based on the distance achieved and the technique used. The farther the jump, the higher the score;
The athlete with the best score in the jumps will be the first to start the cross-country race, with the distance to the next competitor determined by the difference in points obtained in the previous phase. The winner is the athlete who crosses the finish line first.
In the individual normal ramp event, competitors jump from a smaller hill, also known as 95k, due to the horizontal distance in meters between the take-off and Point K, a reference for the judges;
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In the individual long ramp event, the jumps are made from a higher hill, with the distance to Point K being 125 meters.
Each athlete jumps only once. Both races are followed by a 10km cross-country run.
In the team event, the sum of the jump scores of the four athletes from each country determines the advantage at the start of the second stage;
In cross-country, each team member runs 5 km in relay. The competition ends when the fourth athlete in the team crosses the finish line.
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All about Nordic Combined: equipment and track
Athletes need the right equipment for two different events. To compete, participants need:
- Buttons: made of graphite and kevlar, they are designed to be rigid and light. Their thinner ends facilitate and speed up the recovery movement;
- Glasses: essential for protecting athletes’ eyes, some lenses also improve visibility;
- Bindings: should be positioned where the athlete’s weight is concentrated on the ski, ensuring better contact with the snow;
- Boots: provide lateral control and ankle support through a mobile shield. The sole is rigid.
- Suit: Made of lycra, it should be tight and light to provide mobility and warmth.
- Skis: 1.72 to 2.00 m long. The crucial factor is the rigidity of the parts. In addition, they are larger and wider than those used in Cross-Country, distributing the athlete’s weight evenly.
- Hat and helmet;
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All about Nordic Combined: the track
The track is made up of 11 parts, each with a different function and for a different type of race. They are:
- Start gates;
- Salto Hill;
- Ramp;
- Take-off platform;
- Tower of Technicians;
- Judges’ Tower;
- Landing slope;
- Arrival;
- Point K;
- Braking area;
- Exit.
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