The United States’ Nordic mixed schedule has been salvaged for the upcoming World Cup season. desperately needed financial help From the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

FIS gave Nordic Combined USA An unexpected grant last week that the Steamboat Springs, Colorado-based nonprofit needed to enter into a new partnership with the nonprofit. Norwegian counterpart.

“It’s definitely an extreme relief,” 2026 Olympic hopeful Niklas Malacinski told The Associated Press. “I don’t know how else this could be done.”

Americans competing internationally in Northern Europe include: ski jumping and cross-country skiing lost training and coaching funding from USA Nordic Sport last June.

This decision prompted athletes, their families and supporters of the sport to scramble to save the season for the U.S. men and women; traditionally strong Norwegians.

To pick up the pieces, Nordic Combined USA was formed. The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, led by president Jill Brabec, whose daughter Alexa is Nordic combined athlete and four-time Olympian Taylor Fletcher, sought funds from donors and requested a grant from FIS.

Approximately $350,000 was raised toward the organization’s $500,000 budget for the 2024-25 season.

“We’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” said Fletcher, who sits on the North American board of directors.

The Americans will share coaches, training facilities, sports science data and sponsor attraction efforts with Norges Hopplandslaget. Although Norway competes with the United States, Norway wants to be part of a sport that is often overlooked outside of Germany and Austria.

“We need the USA team to make North America stronger in the short and long term,” said Team Norway sports director Ivar Stuan.

Americans have had some success in this sport in the past. Bill Demong became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in North America at the 2010 Vancouver Games, where Americans also won two silver medals.

America’s presence is in the interest of the sport as North America comes together. potentially cuttable From the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps. This may be a way of addressing the fact that the discipline is the only Olympic sport that is not an Olympic sport. gender equality.

“There’s always that risk,” Fletcher said. “The Olympics are always trying to keep the schedule fresh, and adding sports can come at the expense of other sports.

“We will focus on developing the sport to create a great TV product in as many countries as possible. “We are fortunate to have this partnership again with Norway to allow our athletes to showcase the sport in the United States and around the world.”

Scandinavian combination, part of the former Winter Olympics In 1924, he challenges athletes in a unique way. They need to have tact and fearless in ski jumping and the strength and endurance required for a 10-kilometer cross-country course.

The Northern European combined World Cup season starts on 28 November in Ruka, Finland.

FIS Nordic mixed race director Lasse Ottesen declined to say how much money was given to Nordic Combined USA.

“The amount of the grant is confidential, but we hope that the support will contribute to the further development of cooperation with Norway and the development of youth,” Ottesen said in a statement on Tuesday. he said. “The USA is an important part of the Nordic Combined family and of course we look forward to returning to Salt Lake for the Olympic Games in 2034.”

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