Tuesday Talk with Lasse Ottesen

Nordic Combined Race Director Lasse Ottesen joined this weeks Tuesday Talk to give some insights into the most important committee decisions, the women’s large hill premiere and revealed his wish for the next 100 years of FIS.

After last winter included the biggest World Cup calendar in Nordic Combined history, did you have time to take a little vacation after the season finale in Trondheim? What have the last few months been like for you?

The end of one season is always the start of a new season, so the months of April, May and June are busy for us: FIS Spring meetings, Congress, TV starting times meeting, FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025 and Summer Grand Prix inspections have been on the program so far. Unfortunately, there has not been time for a vacation yet, but I will get the chance in July and early August to take some days off, before we kick off the new season with the Summer Grand Prix.

Talking about committee meetings. What are the most important decisions made this spring?

The World Cup large hill premiere of the women is the main outcome from the meetings this spring. Holmenkollen (Oslo) will be the host of this historic event right after the WSC in Trondheim. To ensure that we are all ready, we will have three large hill events during Summer Grand Prix for the women in Oberstdorf and Chaux-Neuve.
Additionally, an Individual Compact format replace the Individual Gundersen on the normal hill during the WSC in Trondheim for the men.

The feedback we have received on this format last season was very positive, therefore we decided to bring it already to the WSC, even though it was only used for one World Cup winter so far.
Other main points are the establishment of a Mini Globe for the Mass Start format for women and men and the premiere of the Seefeld TRIPLE for women.
At the same time, we are bringing back the original TRIPLE win which athletes will bring the advantage / disadvantage with them to the next day. Small updates and adjustment on the equipment rules, that will be tested during the SGP, are the last point from the Spring meetings.

What highlights can fans particularly look forward to in the coming winter?

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim as well as large hill premiere of the women are the highlights of the season. The first Seefeld TRIPLE for women and men plus having Japan back on the calendar are also highlights to look forward to.

What did the women's large hill premiere mean for the future calendar planning of Nordic Combined?

To bring the women to the large hill already in their 4th World Cup season is remarkable. Hats off to the development that the teams and athletes have done! This will ensure Nordic Combined a more flexible position in terms of calendar planning, starting times planning as well as sustainability and infrastructure setup for the future.

What positive progress over the last year makes you particularly proud as race director?

As mentioned, the development of the Nordic Combined Women has been remarkable. Additionally, the youth development of the last season, where we have seen eight nations with medals after the JWSC and YOG, as well as new nations on the Youth Cup podium, is very impressive. After the IOC decision 2022, the engagement within the Nordic Combined community has been outstanding and we see a great passion for the sport around the world.

With the 100th anniversary of FIS this year, what is your wish for the next 100 years?

That is a big question! My wish and believe is, to see the first ever female Nordic Combined Olympic Champion in 2030 and the first Nordic Combined Skiflying event for the men within the same time frame.
For the next 100 years l hope winter sport will continue to embezzle people around the world and that snow sport will continue to bring nations and people together.