From Athlete to Analyst - Catching up with Mani Cooper

This summer we are “Catching Up” with former Nordic Combined athletes to find out where life has taken them after their careers, and how they continue to shape the sport they once competed in.

Our second stop takes us to Great Britain and 23-year-old Mani Cooper. As the nation's first – and so far only – female Nordic Combined athlete, she made history while helping pave the way for women in the discipline.

Cooper made her international debut at the FIS Youth Cup in Trondheim in 2019, went on to represent Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Games, and competed at the FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships twice before her competitive career came to an unexpected end just three years later.

Today, Cooper, who moved to Austria to attend the Schigymnasium in Stams and still lives in Innsbruck, remains deeply involved in Nordic Combined. As a youth coach and FIS TV commentator, she now helps develop the next generation of athletes while bringing the sport closer to fans around the world.

Looking back on your Nordic Combined career, what moment still makes you smile today?

There are plenty of race results I'm proud of, but what makes me smile most are the memories and friendships I built along the way, particularly with my teammates from Austria, as well as coaches and friends from across the sport.

Travelling the world, overcoming challenges together, and representing Great Britain in such a demanding sport created experiences that have stayed with me far longer than any podium finish.

One of the highlights of my career was representing Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Games.

After retiring from competition, what inspired you to stay involved in the sport?

I never really got the ending to my career that I had hoped for. The decision to end my career was ultimately made for me while I was still thriving and heading into what could have been one of my best seasons.

At the time, women's Nordic Combined was not included in the Olympic programme, and as a result, my team decided they could no longer continue supporting a non-Olympic discipline.

Despite that, my love for Nordic Combined never disappeared. I always knew I wanted to step into the role of a coach, and it felt natural to give something back to the sport. The amount of support I received throughout my career was incredible, and I wanted to pass that on to the next generation. Helping young athletes develop and sharing my knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm is incredibly rewarding.

How did your journey from athlete to coach and commentator begin?

Coaching came very naturally. It started at the club where it all began for me, and I'm still coaching there today. Working with young athletes and sharing my experiences from elite sport was something I immediately enjoyed.

Commentating followed a few years later when FIS approached me and asked if I would be interested in commentating on men's and women's Nordic Combined.

It was an opportunity I couldn't say no to. Nordic Combined still runs deeply through me, and I've always enjoyed analyzing competitions and explaining the finer details of the sport.
It's a great way to stay involved while helping audiences understand what makes Nordic Combined so special.

You've experienced Nordic Combined from three different perspectives – athlete, coach, and broadcaster. Which role has taught you the most?

Coaching has probably taught me the most. As an athlete, you're naturally focused on your own performance, but as a coach you need to understand every athlete as an individual.

You learn patience, communication, and the importance of adapting your approach to help different personalities succeed.

As a youth coach, what qualities do you try to pass on to the next generation beyond results and medals?

I always emphasize resilience, discipline, and enjoying the process. Success doesn't come overnight, and learning how to deal with setbacks is just as important as celebrating victories. I also encourage respect for teammates, competitors, and the sport itself.

Nordic Combined has changed over the years. What developments have impressed you the most?

The professionalism across all areas has grown enormously. Training methods, sports science, and equipment have all evolved, and the level of competition continues to rise. It's exciting to see athletes pushing the boundaries while the sport continues to find new ways to engage fans around the world.

One of the most impressive developments has been the growth of women's Nordic Combined. Seeing how many competitions are now available for women and watching the standard improve every single season has been fantastic.

It's also exciting to see the next generation coming through. In the FIS Cup and Alpen Cup competitions, it's becoming increasingly common to see start lists with more than 30 athletes, both men and women, which is a great sign for the future of the sport.

Working as a FIS TV commentator means you're often explaining the sport to a broad audience. What do you enjoy most about it?

I love making Nordic Combined accessible. For people watching for the first time, there are lots of tactical elements that aren't immediately obvious. If I can help viewers understand why something is happening and make them appreciate the skill involved, then I've done my job.

Do you ever miss being the one standing on the start line, or have you found a new passion in coaching and broadcasting?

Of course there are moments when I miss the adrenaline and excitement of competing, especially on race day. But coaching and broadcasting bring different kinds of satisfaction. Watching athletes improve or helping fans enjoy the sport gives me just as much motivation now. It's just different.

When one door closes, another opens, and I've been fortunate to find new challenges and opportunities that keep me connected to the sport I love.

When people ask, "Where is Mani Cooper now?", how would you describe this chapter of your life?

I'm fortunate to still be deeply involved in Nordic Combined from multiple angles. I'm coaching young athletes, working as a TV expert and commentator, and continuing to promote a sport that has been a huge part of my life.

Alongside that, I've stepped into a completely different world and now work as an estate agent. It's a very different environment from elite sport, but I've enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to develop new skills. It's a different chapter from competing, but one that I find equally fulfilling.