Winter Olympics: Nordic Combined Gets 100x More Fun When You Understand How Jumping and Skiing Connect

Nordic Combined Gets 100 Times More Fun When You Know This

Nordic combined is a sport that brings together ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
Its defining feature is that the result of the jump is directly converted into start time gaps for the cross-country race.

1. Nordic Combined = Two Disciplines in One

• First half: ski jumping (points from distance and style)
• Second half: cross-country skiing (mass start / pursuit-style race)

Some athletes excel more in the jump, others in the cross-country section – and those strengths shape how the race unfolds.

2. How Jump Points Turn into “Time Gaps” on the Start Line

Jump scores are converted into points, which are then turned into time differences for the cross-country race.
The athlete who wins the jump starts first, with the others setting off several seconds – or even tens of seconds – later.

Thanks to this rule, the ski race always has a clear structure of “leaders being chased” and “chasers trying to catch up”,
and dramatic comebacks in the final stages happen very often.

3. What to Watch When You’re Watching

• The time gaps after the jumping round
• Athletes who suddenly close big gaps in the ski portion
• The tactics in the final 1 km

4. Two Japanese Athletes to Know

Akito Watabe

A legend who has led Japanese Nordic combined for many years.
He is extremely well-balanced in both jumping and cross-country, and has produced consistent results at major championships.

In October last year he officially announced that this will be his final season as an active athlete. The upcoming Games will be his sixth consecutive Olympics. All eyes will be on his last appearance on the biggest stage.

• Experience and superb race management
• A long list of medals at the Olympics and World Championships

Ryota Yamamoto

Seen as the next-generation leader of the team.
His main weapon is his strength in the cross-country section, where his late charge through the field often becomes the focus.

• Races where he steadily climbs through the field on the skis
• The potential to go toe-to-toe with the very best in the world

5. Why the Olympics and World Championships Are So Much Fun

Nordic combined is a discipline with constant position changes, where the winner is often unknown until the very end.
Once you understand the rules, the way the race develops becomes many times more exciting.

※ This article is based on competition rules and international event formats. For the latest information, please refer to the official announcements by FIS and the Ski Association of Japan.