Nordic combined is one of the most unique sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics because it blends two very different disciplines into a single competition. Athletes must be both powerful ski jumpers and strong endurance skiers, making it one of the most demanding tests of versatility in the Winter Games.
The sport has two main parts: ski jumping and cross-country skiing. In the ski jumping phase, athletes launch themselves off a large hill, aiming for long, stable jumps with clean technique in the air and a controlled landing. Judges award points for style, while distance also plays a major role in scoring. A strong jump can give an athlete a valuable head start for the next stage.
The second part of Nordic combined is a cross-country ski race. Start times are based on the results from the ski jumping round, using a system where better jumpers begin the race earlier. This creates a pursuit-style format, where the first athlete to cross the finish line in the cross-country race wins the event overall. Because of this structure, competitions are easy to follow. Whoever finishes first on the course takes the gold medal.
Success in Nordic combined requires a rare balance of explosive power and long-distance stamina. Ski jumping demands strength, timing, and fearlessness, while cross-country skiing requires endurance, pacing, and efficient technique over several kilometers. Athletes must train year-round to maintain high levels in both areas, which makes Nordic combined competitors some of the most complete winter athletes.
Tactics also play a role, especially in the cross-country portion. Skiers may work together in small groups to maintain speed, then try to break away near the end. Equipment, waxing strategy, and course conditions can also influence results. A small time gap from the jumping phase can quickly grow or disappear depending on how the race unfolds.
Nordic combined has deep roots in winter sport tradition, especially in parts of Europe. While the number of competing nations is smaller than in some other Olympic sports, the level of competition is extremely high. Races are often decided by seconds, and dramatic comebacks are common when strong skiers chase down early leaders.
Nordic Combined Medal Events
Men’s Individual Normal Hill / 10 km
Men’s Individual Large Hill / 10 km
Men’s Team Large Hill / 4 × 5 km Relay
Each event awards gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Individual Events Format
In the individual events, athletes first compete in ski jumping. Each competitor makes one jump, and their score determines their starting time for the cross-country race. The time gaps are calculated so that the athlete with the best jump starts first, with others following at set intervals based on how many points they trail.
The cross-country portion is raced over a set distance, typically 10 kilometers. Because of the pursuit format, the order in which athletes cross the finish line directly determines the final standings. This format makes the race exciting for spectators, as position changes on the course have immediate impact on medal chances.
Team Event Format
The team event brings together four athletes from each nation. All team members complete ski jumps, and their scores are combined to set the team’s starting position for the relay race. Strong, consistent jumping across all four athletes is important, because one weak jump can create a larger time deficit.
In the cross-country relay, each athlete skis a set leg of the course before tagging the next teammate. As in the individual events, the pursuit format means the first team to cross the finish line wins. Team tactics, pacing, and smooth transitions between skiers can all make a decisive difference.
Competition Structure and Athlete Roles
In Nordic combined, every athlete must be both a jumper and a distance skier, but strengths can vary. Some competitors aim to build a large advantage in the jumping phase, then defend their lead on the course. Others rely on strong skiing ability to catch rivals during the race.
Because the sport combines two disciplines, training is complex and physically demanding. Athletes must manage strength, technique, endurance, and recovery across a long season. At the Olympic level, the balance between jumping skill and skiing power often determines who stands on the podium.
Participating Countries in Milano Cortina 2026
The following countries will participate in this edition of the winter games: Austria, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine, and United States.