Nordic Combined Faces Decline: Women Could Save It
In the high-stakes world of Winter Olympics sports, few events boast the storied legacy of Nordic combined. This unique discipline merges the adrenaline rush of ski jumping with the endurance test of cross-country skiing, creating a hybrid that's as challenging as it is captivating. Yet, as the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games approach, the sport is grappling with a steady decline in participation and interest. Experts and athletes alike point to one potential savior: finally allowing women to compete at the Olympic level.
A Brief History of Nordic Combined
Nordic combined traces its roots to Scandinavia, where it emerged in the late 19th century as a way to test all-around winter athletes. It made its Olympic debut in 1924 at the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix, France, and has been a fixture ever since—one of just 16 original events. The format is straightforward yet demanding: competitors jump on a normal hill, earning points based on distance and style, which determine their starting positions and time handicaps for a subsequent 10-kilometer cross-country ski race.
For men, the sport has produced legends like Norway's Bjarte Engen Vik and Germany's Eric Frenzel. But its peculiar pairing of aerial prowess and grueling endurance has kept it niche, even among winter sports enthusiasts. In the U.S., hubs like Steamboat Springs, Colorado, have nurtured talents such as the Malacinski siblings—Annika and Niklas—who represent the next generation.
The Evolution and Olympic Legacy
Over the decades, Nordic combined has evolved minimally. Formats have included team relays and large-hill jumps, but the core remains unchanged. It's the only winter Olympic sport that has never included women, a glaring omission in an era of gender parity pushes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The 2024 Paris Summer Games achieved full equality with 50/50 male-female participation, and Milan-Cortina aims for 47% women overall. New additions like ski mountaineering highlight the IOC's commitment to expansion, yet Nordic combined lags behind.
Challenges Plaguing the Sport Today
Decline isn't hyperbole; Nordic combined is shrinking. World Cup fields have dwindled, with fewer nations fielding competitive teams. In the 2025-26 FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season, only about a dozen countries regularly compete in men's events, down from peaks in the 1990s. Factors include high costs—specialized equipment and training facilities aren't cheap—the sport's technical difficulty, and waning youth interest amid the rise of more accessible pursuits like snowboarding or freestyle skiing.
In the U.S., USA Nordic Combined boasts just a handful of elite athletes. Niklas Malacinski, ranked 29th globally, is a lock for Team USA in 2026, but the program's funding struggles mirror broader trends. "It's tough to attract kids when the sport feels so exclusive," notes a coach from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. Globally, the International Ski Federation (FIS) reports a 20% drop in junior participants over the last decade.
Exclusion of Women: A Missed Opportunity
The elephant in the room is women's exclusion. While women have competed in ski jumping since 2014 and cross-country skiing since 1952, Nordic combined remains men-only at the Olympics. This stems from outdated notions of the sport's physical demands, but female athletes are proving that's a myth. Annika Malacinski, ranked 10th in the women's World Cup standings, recently shone at the Seefeld Triple event in Austria, finishing strong in the normal hill ski jumping.
Women's Nordic combined has grown on the World Cup circuit since its inception in 2019, with events drawing solid crowds and media buzz. Athletes from Austria, Norway, and Japan dominate, but U.S. stars like Malacinski are closing the gap. Allowing women into the Olympics could double the sport's visibility, injecting fresh narratives and rivalries.
The Push for Inclusion in 2026
Momentum is building. The FIS and IOC are in discussions to add women's Nordic combined to Milan-Cortina, potentially as a normal hill individual event. This aligns with broader equality efforts; the IOC has mandated gender-balanced programs for new sports. If approved, it would mark a historic shift, echoing the integration of women's ski jumping after years of advocacy.
For Team USA, inclusion is personal. While Niklas heads to Italy, Annika's exclusion stings. The siblings, training together in Colorado, embody the sport's family-friendly appeal. "Seeing women compete would inspire the next wave," Annika said during a recent Zoom from Austria. Parallels can be drawn to Lindsey Vonn's improbable comeback in alpine skiing, showing how veteran stories boost winter sports.
Potential Impact on Popularity and Growth
Analysts predict women's inclusion could reverse the decline. More events mean more sponsorships, TV coverage, and youth programs. In the U.S., where winter sports participation is already low outside alpine and freestyle, Nordic combined could tap into the growing interest in women's athletics—think the WNBA's surge or the U.S. Women's Soccer Team's legacy. SEO trends show searches for "women's Nordic combined" up 150% since 2020, signaling public curiosity.
Globally, nations like Germany and Japan, powerhouses in women's jumping, would field strong teams, fostering international competition. The FIS estimates a 30% participation boost if Olympics open the door, potentially stabilizing World Cup fields and junior ranks.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Nordic Combined?
As Milan-Cortina nears, Nordic combined stands at a crossroads. Its rich history—from Chamonix's snow-swept hills to modern World Cup thrills—deserves preservation. Excluding women not only contradicts Olympic ideals but hampers growth in a sport already fighting for relevance.
For American fans, the Malacinskis offer hope. Niklas's Olympic bid and Annika's World Cup prowess highlight U.S. potential. If women join the fray, Nordic combined could leap from obscurity to spotlight, blending tradition with inclusivity. In a Winter Olympics landscape evolving with breaking and flag football, this ancient discipline might just find its second wind.
Whether through policy changes or grassroots efforts, the path forward is clear: embrace equality to endure. As the FIS deliberates, the world watches—and waits—for Nordic combined's next chapter.
