Unprecedented Controversy in the Nordic Combined Event – Coach Accuses Official of ‘Chasing’ an Athlete: ‘It Could Destroy a Career’

In the women’s Nordic combined World Cup race, Norwegian favorite Ida Marie Hagen saw her long winning streak come to an unexpected end when she was disqualified during the ski jumping phase due to a technicality concerning her jumping suit. Hagen had won 11 consecutive races but was not allowed to compete in the cross-country skiing portion of the event in Seefeld.

The decision sparked bitter reactions among the Norwegian camp. National team coach Ivar Stuan lodged a protest with the race’s technical jury, accusing one of the officials of intentionally targeting Hagen. “They have been after Jarl for years, and now it seems they are willing to do whatever it takes to push Ida out, even if it destroys her career,” Stuan told NTB, underlining his deep concern over the judging.

Stuan’s anger was fueled by the fact that although Hagen’s suit had been altered as required, the changes did not help, and she was still disqualified—a decision he described as unprecedented. He further suggested that the International Ski Federation (FIS) might be manipulating equipment checks to favor other contenders.

In addition to the controversy surrounding Hagen, the event showcased strong performances from other athletes. Minja Korhonen moved up from 21st to 9th place in the cross-country skiing, while Heta Hirvonen achieved her career-best finish (12th place) after a strong jump, surpassing her previous best of 16th. On the men’s side, Ilkka Herola remained in contention during the ski jumping segment, trailing just 12 seconds behind the race winner, as part of a group that included top competitors like Norway’s Jarl Magnus Riiber, Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger, and Austria’s Johannes Lamparter.

The unfolding drama, set against the backdrop of one of the season’s key events with the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim, has left athletes and supporters questioning the integrity of the equipment control process. FIS competition director Lasse Ottesen defended the process, stating that the goal is simply to ensure all athletes’ gear complies with the rules.

The incident is already casting a long shadow ahead of the championships and has raised broader concerns about fairness in Nordic combined competitions, with many fearing that such actions could have a lasting negative impact on an athlete’s career.

For more details on the event and related stories, see the accompanying links on Yle’s website.