How the Nordic Combined should become more modern this year thanks to new rules

Ice-cold temperatures, winter landscape and therefore a World Cup feeling – you can rely on Ruka. At the start of the season for Nordic combined skiers and ski jumpers, northern Finland has icy temperatures of minus 17 degrees, and it is only expected to get slightly warmer at the weekend. So while everything is the same in Ruka from a climatic point of view, a lot is changing in terms of the regulations in the Nordic disciplines this off-season.

Especially when it comes to combined athletes, everything is being done to modernize the sport and make it more attractive with a view to remaining in the Olympic program. On the one hand, through the newly introduced compact competition, in which there are now fixed time gaps depending on placement after jumping, and on the other hand, through a new awarding of points: instead of the top 30, the top 40 now receive World Cup points and the distribution among the top 3 is now narrower together (win 100, second 90, third 60 points).

New competition and body scanner

As for the special jumpers, there is now also a body scanner, which now enables much more precise measurements, even in the crotch area, which was previously measured more vaguely. In this regard, there were “zero measurements” last summer where athletes only had to compete in underwear.

Of course, the ban on fluorine wax is also a very big issue. For ski jumpers, the checks are only carried out after the competition, in the cross-country skiing area before and after. It was only at the end of October that the FIS stipulated that measurements after the competition could now reach a maximum value of 1.8 due to speculation about possible contamination of the skis on the cross-country ski trail. This initially applies until the end of the year. Any value above this will result in disqualification. For ski material tested before the competition in cross-country skiing and Nordic combined, if possible contamination can be ruled out, the value remains at a maximum of 1.0.

The ÖSV team around overall World Cup defending champion Johannes Lamparter has their own test equipment to test the skis. After the cross-country ski race, the top 3 and three athletes’ skis selected at random will be checked.

Program now comparable to biathlon

Like the rest of the team, which arrived without the ill Lukas Greiderer, Lamparter is looking forward to the start of the season. “The weekend offers a lot of program with many different formats, it will definitely be a cool start to the season,” says the Tyrolean.

From his point of view, thanks to the compact format, the program is now comparable to biathlon. “You also have many different chances of being at the front. Now there is a competition that is more running-oriented, a normal one, and one in which the jumpers have an advantage.” Lamparter would like to see such a mix on several World Cup weekends. The preparation went well. “The jumps on Bergisel put me in a very positive mood.” As defending champion, he can now “at least be the last one up there again”. But only after the weekend will he be able to say where he stands.

The team also includes Franz-Josef Rehrl, who also knows the pitfalls of the large ski jump in Ruka well. “She is also a challenge. She has a quick start with a short, crisp table with an extreme radius.” The Schladminger also welcomed the new racing format. “We definitely need a bit of change inside anyway.”

The up-and-coming Stefan Rettenegger has set his sights on his first World Cup podium place for the coming season. “I was fifth last year. It would be cool if I could make the podium this year. It doesn’t have to work at the start of the World Cup, but of course it would be nice.”

Head coach Christoph Eugen is not involved for the time being. After the tragic death of his wife, he is currently not traveling with the World Cup entourage because he also has to look after his eleven-year-old son. The long-time coach should be there in Ramsau. Christoph Bieler has now taken over the reins and is also receiving organizational support from Jochen Strobl and press officer Clemens Derganc.