Lasse Ottesen: “If you’re not following Nordic Combined, you’re missing out”

With the 2025/26 FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season just around the corner – and the Olympic Games on the horizon – anticipation is high across the Nordic sports world. Few people know the sport’s heartbeat better than Lasse Ottesen, who is entering his 15th season as FIS Race Director for Nordic Combined.

We caught up to talk about the upcoming season, the evolution of the sport, and what still excites him after more than a decade at the helm.

The 2025/26 FIS World Cup season is around the corner – what kind of energy or storyline do you expect to define it?

Ottesen: If I were to write the headlines, they’d be: “The closest World Cup overall fight in Nordic Combined history”, “Olympic greatness from the most traditional Olympic sport.” And: “If you’re not following Nordic Combined, you’re missing out.”

We’re heading into a very exciting season with new highlights, new venues, and, of course, the Olympic Games. Thanks to the fantastic work from all the national ski federations and local organizers, I expect it to be one of the most thrilling seasons in a long time.

It’s your 15th season as Race Director. Would your answer to “this is why I love this sport” be the same in 2011 as it is now in 2025?

Ottesen: Nordic Combined has always fascinated me, but back in 2011, I didn’t really know the sport — especially not the athletes. The last 15 years have been an incredible experience, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

I actually love the sport even more today, and I’m sure that more people will feel the same in the years to come.

Nordic Combined has gone through several format and rule changes, especially in the last few years. How do you decide when an idea is ready to test — and when it’s better to wait?

Ottesen: That’s a complicated question. The FIS system is set up to involve all parties in Nordic Combined, and every spring we receive several ideas about how to develop the sport.

Some are tested in the field by national ski federations, others remain on paper. We lead open and transparent discussions with everyone involved, and through that process, we identify the ideas we want to implement. Some have worked, like the TRIPLE, and some haven’t.

There’s always a balance between tradition and innovation in Nordic Combined. What’s an idea that sounded crazy at first but made the sport better?

Ottesen: If we go back in time, definitely the Gundersen format. Doing both ski jumping and cross-country on the same day and later reducing it to one jump and a 10 km race. All of those were huge changes that really shaped the sport.

The level of competition and professionalism keeps rising. Which development are you most proud of looking back?

Ottesen: Women’s Nordic Combined, for sure. What they’ve shown over the last five or six years is outstanding. They bring another level and vibe to our sport, and we’re working hard to bring them to the Olympics in 2030.

Behind the scenes, what’s the biggest challenge people might not realize you face as Race Director?

Ottesen: The overall coordination of all stakeholders during events – making sure we’re on time and that all the technical parts are working – that’s something viewers never see on TV.

For example, in Ruka last year, we lost power for the Swiss Timing system and had to run on backup. We had 30 minutes before the backup was empty, and we made it by three minutes. Those moments are intense!

You work closely with other Race Directors, athletes, organizers, and broadcasters. What’s a recent idea from within the community that made you think, “Yes, that’s the future”?

Ottesen: I have lots of meetings and conversations with all those stakeholders throughout the year, and we hear many great ideas and suggestions.

We need to continue the great development we’ve seen in recent years, to keep improving and implementing new features – technically and sports wise. The latest idea for our future I won’t reveal in this interview, but stay tuned… you’ll see!

After so many seasons in this role, what excites you the most when a new winter begins?

Ottesen: I am very much looking forward to motivated athletes and teams and our motivated FIS Nordic Combined staff. Meeting the local organizers again and the excitement of not knowing which athletes or teams will take center stage this season. That feeling never gets old.