In a startling eleventh-hour development, the beleaguered United States Nordic Combined program has been handed a crucial lifeline by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). The timely intervention, in the form of a substantial grant, has ensured that American athletes will be able to compete in the upcoming World Cup season, staving off the imminent collapse of the discipline in the U.S.
The dire situation came to a head last June when USA Nordic Sport, the governing body for ski jumping and Nordic combined in the United States, made the difficult decision to withdraw funding for the training and coaching of athletes in these disciplines. This move left the future of Nordic combined in the U.S. hanging by a thread, with athletes, coaches, and supporters scrambling to find a way to keep the program afloat.
A Glimmer of Hope
Enter Nordic Combined USA, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization led by president Jill Brabec, whose daughter Alexa is a Nordic combined athlete, and four-time Olympian Taylor Fletcher. The group sprang into action, launching a fundraising campaign and submitting a grant request to the FIS in a desperate bid to save the season.
Against all odds, their efforts have borne fruit. The FIS has awarded Nordic Combined USA a substantial grant, providing the financial boost needed to keep the program running. The news has come as an immense relief to athletes like Niklas Malacinski, a 2026 Olympic hopeful, who told the Associated Press, “Definitely an extreme relief. I don’t know how else this would’ve been done.”
A Norwegian Alliance
The FIS grant was a key contingency for Nordic Combined USA to enter into a new partnership with its Norwegian counterpart, Norges Hopplandslaget. Under this arrangement, the American team will share coaches, training facilities, sports science data, and efforts to attract sponsors with the traditionally powerful Norwegian squad.
“We need the U.S. team up there to make Nordic combined stronger short term and long term,” said Ivar Stuan, Team Norway’s sport director, underscoring the importance of American participation in the sport.
An Uncertain Future
While the FIS grant and Norwegian partnership have provided a much-needed lifeline, the long-term future of Nordic combined remains uncertain. The sport, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing, is the only Olympic discipline without gender equality and faces the risk of being cut from the 2030 Winter Games program.
“There’s always that risk,” acknowledged Fletcher. “The Olympics are always looking at keeping the program fresh and adding sports can come at a cost of other sports.”
Building for the Future
Despite the challenges, Fletcher remains optimistic about the future of Nordic combined in the U.S. “We’re going to focus on building the sport to create a great TV product in as many nations as possible,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have this partnership with Norway again to allow our athletes to showcase the sport in the U.S. and across the world.”
The upcoming World Cup season, which kicks off on November 28 in Ruka, Finland, will be a crucial test for the revitalized U.S. Nordic combined program. With the financial backing of the FIS and the support of their Norwegian allies, American athletes will have the opportunity to prove their mettle on the international stage and build momentum for the future of the sport.
As the winter sports world turns its attention to the 2024-25 season, all eyes will be on the U.S. Nordic combined team, eager to see if they can rise from the ashes and secure a bright future for this unique and challenging discipline.
