Nordic Combined: One of the lesser-known Winter Olympic formats but one of the more exciting all the same, as athletes combine sheer power with incredible endurance on the snow... everything you need to know ahead of the competition
- Nordic Combined mixes the powerful ski jump with gruelling cross-country race
- There are three men's events - two individual and one four-man team category
- In all three, athletes perform jumps before a cross-country race to decide winner
- Sportsmail takes a look at the event and explains everything you need to know
Nordic Combined is not a sport many casual Olympics fans will be aware of, but it is one of the most bizarre and exciting in the winter calendar.
It has been on the schedule since the very first Winter Games back in 1924 and includes three different sections for the athletes to try their hand at.
Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know for the competition at the Beijing Games.
Nordic Combined has been in the Winter Olympic programme since the Games started in 1924
Nordic Combined 2022 Beijing venue
There will be two venues holding the Nordic Combined competition in Beijing, both within the Zhangjiakou cluster.
The venues will be the National Ski Jumping Centre, where the ski jumping section of the event will take place, and the National Cross-Country Centre, which, of course, will be host to the cross-country element.
The National Ski Jumping Centre (left) will host the jumping section of the competition, while the National Cross-Country Centre (right) will host the cross-country element
With the first locally transmitted Omicron case confirmed in Beijing in recent days, Beijing 2022 organisers have pulled the plug on plans to put tickets on general sale, while foreign-based spectators were already prohibited.
Instead, there will be an 'adapted programme' inviting groups of spectators.
How does the competition work?
Nordic Combined is aptly named, as it mixes two very different arts in one sport: the pace and sheer power of the ski jump and the endurance and tactical nous of cross-country.
The competition comprises two men's individual events and a men's team event, with no women's events scheduled for the 2022 Games.
All three events include a jump, either from the normal or large hill and a cross-country race
The first individual event combines a ski jump from the 'normal hill', followed by a horror 10km cross-country race, and the second is a jump from the 'large hill' - followed by a 10km race.
After the jump, start times for the cross-country race are staggered, with the athlete who jumped the furthest getting an advantage over the other racers. Each start is delayed by four seconds for each point they trail the leader in the individual jump.
On top of that, there is a four-man team event, with each athlete jumping from the large hill, before a 4x5km cross-country relay.
What is the Nordic Combined schedule?
Who are the Nordic Combined favourites?
Jarl Magnus Riiber took 'normal hill' gold at the World Championships and is looking for Olympic success.
There won't be any Team GB athletes competing at this year's Games.
But Germany's Eric Frenzel - who claimed two gold medals in Pyeongchang four years ago - has the opportunity to become the sport's most successful Olympian ever, should he win all three events.
Norway - who, unsurprisingly, given the name, invented the sport - were highly successful at the 2021 World Championships, however, with Jarl Magnus Riiber - who took 'normal hill' gold - looking for Olympic success.
Meanwhile, Austria’s Johannes Lamparter won the 'large hill' event at the World Championships and enters in good form, while Japan's Akito Watabe will be hoping to avoid a third successive silver medal in the 'normal hill'.
Most watched Sport videos
- Conor McGregor throws himself into brawl at Bare Knuckle FC weigh in
- Kayla Nicole speaks on seeing ex Travis Kelce out in public
- Dodgers outfielder has explicit moment on air after clinching NLDS
- Travis Kelce's ex addresses rumor that he made her split the bill
- Mets fans go wild as Francisco Lindor hits game-winning grand slam
- Bathurst 1000 driver's Gold Coast house 'burns down' in huge blaze
- Wembley silence for George Baldock ahead of England Greece match
- Aussie bodybuilder Calum Con Moger shares his Arnold impression
- 'This is for George': Greece dedicate England win to Baldock
- Rafael Nadal confirms he is officially retiring from tennis
- Bellamy: Wales players receiving support over George Baldock's death
- Tubes reveals his worst experience hosting Soccer AM