Team USA Nordic Combined

Nordic combined is a thrilling winter sport that merges two distinct disciplines: ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Athletes first compete in ski jumping to determine their starting positions for the cross-country race, creating a unique test of both power and endurance. The sport challenges competitors to master both the explosive precision of ski jumping and the sustained strength required for cross-country skiing, making it one of the most demanding events in the Winter Olympics.

Nordic combined has been part of the Winter Olympics since its inaugural year at the OIympic Winter Games Chamonix 1924. As one of the original disciplines, it has maintained a prestigious status in the Olympic program. Until the Olympic Winter Games Calgary 1988, where a team event debuted, there was only one individual event on the Olympic program. A second individual event was added at the Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002. The sport has evolved over the decades, with changes in event formats and competition rules enhancing its appeal to fans and athletes alike.

The United States earned its first-ever Olympic medals in the sport at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, marking a breakthrough moment for American Nordic combined competitors. Team USA won the silver medal in the 4x5-kilometer team event, gold and silver in the men’s individual large hill, and silver in men’s individual normal hill. Johnny Spillane won three silver medals in that standout year.

Olympic Nordic combined consists of three events: individual normal hill, individual large hill and the team event. Each competition begins with a ski jumping round, where athletes launch off a Nordic ski jump to earn points based on distance and style. These results determine the starting order for the subsequent cross-country race, where the first skier to cross the finish line is declared the winner. Unlike other winter sports, there are no sprint or relay variations—Nordic combined remains a pure test of jumping skill and endurance skiing.

Follow along the Nordic combined skiiers' road to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Competitors use specialized equipment tailored for each discipline. For ski jumping, athletes utilize lightweight skis designed for maximum flight stability, along with aerodynamic suits and helmets. The cross-country segment requires traditional Nordic skis, optimized for speed and efficiency across snowy terrain.

The Nordic combined events are contested on purpose-built courses featuring both a ski jumping hill and a cross-country skiing loop. The ski jumping hill adheres to strict size regulations, while the cross-country course varies in terrain to challenge endurance and technique.