Live Talk with Jarl Magnus Riiber

The four-time Overall World Cup Champion, Jarl Magnus Riiber, was our guest in the latest episode of the FIS Nordic Combined Instagram Live Talk series.

The Norwegian gave insights into his difficult start into the year 2023, his gold-medal sweep at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica and answered personal questions from his fans.

Among other topics, Riiber revealed how difficult his return was after health problems slowed him down earlier in the year and meant he lost the Overall World Cup title to Johannes Lamparter. "It was a difficult phase. There was so much happening before the World Championships, in my family life as well as with the sickness. But I set that goal for a medal and tried to optimize everything to achieve it! 
Afterwards, when I went through every point that I did right, the feeling was just incredible. Going from zero to gold still gives me goosebumps and I was just floating with confidence afterwards. I learned a lot from that period.”

Riiber walked out of all four World Championship competitions with a gold medal, proofing one more time why he is currently the best Nordic Combined athlete on the planet. 
But not everyone begrudges him this success. After his jubilant gesture in Planica, where he stopped at the end of the last climb and bowed to the spectators, his behavior was criticized.

“In that moment I just felt like I had to do something special to celebrate”, the 25-year-old explained. “We don’t often have time to do celebrations during a race, but in Planica I had that time. It was not planned at all, but when I entered the stadium, hearing all the spectators and looking at that beautiful mountain scenery, I spontaneously decided to stop and take in the view, the emotions – just everything. 
I didn’t mean to be cocky at all, but after seeing the replay I agree that it might have looked a bit different”, he said amused.

The complete live talk, including Riiber’s personal song request, which will be added to the exclusive Nordic Combined Athletes playlist on Spotify in the coming months, is available as a reel on the official FIS Nordic Combined Instagram account.