In Tears After New World Championship Medal: 'I Never Expected This'

Gyda Westvold Hansen led the Norwegian charge in the Nordic combined event at the 2025 Ski World Championships. After a commanding performance in the cross‐country section, she was on track to clinch her third consecutive World Championship gold. Instead, the race ended with her taking the silver medal – a result that brought tears of both joy and disbelief.

In her post-race interview, Hansen admitted, “I am just very happy. I never expected this half a year ago or at any point during the season. This silver tastes even better than the two golds I already have.” Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged that her ski jumping had not reached the heights of today’s performance in previous seasons – but through hard work, she had managed to turn it around. She even mentioned that her heart rate had soared to around 210 before her jump on the Granåsen hill, an indication of the intense pressure and physical demand of the event.

The race also showcased mixed fortunes among Norway’s other athletes. Marte Leinan Lund, who had performed strongly in the cross‐country leg, ultimately finished eighth overall despite placing second in that segment. Ida Marie Hagen, on the other hand, struggled both in the skiing and on the hill, finishing in tenth place. Experts commented that although Hansen’s jumping was not a personal best, the overall effort was enough to secure a podium finish. In fact, NRK commentator Magnus Moen noted that her performance fell short of a maximum jump, while expert Torgeir Bjørn stressed that the outcome was atypical compared to previous results.

Internationally, the event was marked by a dramatic finish; Japan’s Yuna Kasai claimed the gold medal while her twin sister Haruka Kasai secured bronze. A racing incident involving German Nathalie Armbruster and Ida Marie Hagen was also noted – an unfortunate but typical mishap in such fiercely contested events that did little to dampen the overall competitive spirit.

Despite not stepping onto the top step of the podium this time, Hansen’s emotional reaction underlines her resilience and determination. Her story is a testament to the demanding nature of Nordic combined at the international level, where every fraction of a second and every phase of the competition count toward the final outcome.