The Nordic Combined Committee meetings took place in Zurich ©FIS

International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Combined race director Lasse Ottesen has called for further investment into the discipline at the governing body's Autumn Meetings in Zürich.

Ottesen raised the issue to the FIS Executive Board and the Nordic Combined Committee during a speech on the changing times of the sport, and said further funding was vital to prove that the sport is flourishing following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Agenda 2020 reforms.

He also used the meeting to argue that more women need to be attracted to Nordic Combined, as it is the only discipline currently on the Winter Olympic programme which is just for male competitors.

The Norwegian, who won an Olympic silver medal at Lillehammer 1994 during his ski jumping career, also focused on the contrast between the lives and demand placed on athletes and coaches in the 1990s compared to the current generation.

Further issues raised included the need for athletes to promote the sport and their own profiles by making long-distance journeys to participate at more World Cup events, as well as taking part in promotional events in the summer and creating social media profiles.

Ottesen expressed his view that the governing body and National Ski Associations needed to bear in mind the increased demands as they look to shape the future of the sport, with athletes having to focus on far more than just their sporting performance in the winter months.

The Nordic Combined Committee used the two meetings held to confirm the rules for the first edition of a Youth Cup, which is due to take place for both boys and girls, while they also developed a draft calendar for the competition.

As Nordic Combined is the only discipline of the Winter Olympic programme which is male only, FIS are looking to develop women's events
As Nordic Combined is the only discipline of the Winter Olympic programme which is male only, the FIS are looking to develop women's events ©Getty Images

Competition calendars for the upcoming winters were presented again with this year’s World Cup season remaining unchanged, while the preliminary calendars for the summer of 2016 and the winter season of 2016 to 2017 were also discussed.

They also debated future ambitions for women within Nordic Combined, with a target to hold a Youth Cup calendar with a first overall ranking for the winter of 2016 to 2017 and an inaugural Continental Cup season as early as the 2017 to 2018 campaign.

In addition, the Committee also revealed an aim to include a Women's Nordic Combined event at the Junior World Championships in 2019.

Nordic Combined sees athletes compete in cross-country skiing and ski jumping.



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