A Celebration on Ice and Snow, Beijing 2022: Nordic Combined

Nordic combined, which originated in Scandinavia, is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Once used as qualifcation trials to select the best all-round winter sports athletes, Nordic combined is considered a real test of the best skiers. The competition has been in the Winter Olympics ever since the inaugural Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924.

The track for Nordic combined consists of a normal hill, a large hill and a 2.5-kilometre course for cross-country skiing. Athletes compete in ski jumping first and then in cross-country skiing. Equipment for both ski jumping and cross-country skiing is required including both jumping skis and cross-country skis.

For individual races, starting order as well as start intervals for the crosscountry races are based on ski jumping results. Each skier must wait four seconds for every point they trail the leader. The 10-kilometre cross-country race is completed via four laps around a 2.5-kilometre track, and whoever finishes first wins the entire competition. For team races, the starting order and intervals for the cross-country races are also based on ski jumping results. Each point behind costs 1.33 seconds. In the 4×5km cross-country race, each member of a team is required to complete two laps on a 2.5-kilomemtre track, and whichever team finishes all four legs of the relay first wins.

Nordic combined requires both strength and endurance. In the ski jumping portion of the competition, athletes must take off quickly and maintain strong control. They must reach a speed of about 100 kilometres per hour, and take off, jump and land in quick succession. The cross-country element requires considerable physical strength and stamina. Overall, athletes must wield the courage for ski jumping and endurance for cross-country skiing and master the techniques of both.

Copyright: Guide to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022– A Celebration on Ice and Snow

Photo/Xinhua