April 17, 2014 – On April 11-12, during the spring meetings in Zurich (SUI), the Nordic Combined Sub-Committee for Officials, Rules and Control, as well as the Nordic Combined Executive Board met and discussed new proposals and calendars. A major discussion was the first steps needed to introduce women’s Nordic Combined.

Nordic Combined is set to exploit new paths © NordicFocus

Nordic Combined Committee Chairman Horst Hüttel and Race Director Lasse Ottesen presented a proposal on a first international training camp. It is set to take place in Oberstdorf (GER) and will be hosted by the German Ski Association in conjunction with this year’s Youth Grand Prix and the Summer Grand Prix finals. Before finalising the programme, National Ski Associations will be consulted for feedback.

Another main topic was the World Cup and Continental Cup calendars for the upcoming season, which were presented by the Ottesen in cooperation with Continental Cup Coordinator Toni Guggemoos. For the World Cup, the Russian venue of Nizhny Tagil is new on the calendar while traditional venues such as Ramsau (AUT), Schonach (GER) and Chaux-Neuve (FRA) will retain their fixed spots.

Furthermore, different proposals and formats were assessed: “Besides the important first steps for ladies‘ Nordic Combined, we are also proposing to increase the Olympic Quota from 55 to 65 athletes and to add the popular team sprint to the Olympic programme. The Nordic Combined Triple was a success last season and no changes have been proposed. It is important to keep building this great highlight in the coming years”, Ottesen summarised.

All proposals will be submitted to the National Ski Associations concerned, before the Nordic Combined Committee finalises its proposals to submit to the FIS Council at its meetings during the 49th FIS Congress in Barcelona (SPA) from 1st–6th June 2014.