Why the World Championship favorite is skipping the season opener: – Difficult to accept

Jarl Magnus Riiber, the undisputed king of Nordic combined, will not compete in the season opener at Beitostølen this weekend. The jumping portion has been completed, but the skiing events set to take place this Saturday and Sunday will proceed without him.

Riiber, who had expected to return stronger this season, has faced numerous challenges, including knee surgery. "It went well jumping after the operation, but my knees are always a concern as the season begins," Riiber explained.

After experiencing a solid training spell, he had to undergo an unexpected wisdom tooth removal in early October, which complicated his recovery process. "I was unable to train for three weeks, which was hard to swallow," he admitted.

Once he resumed training, he encountered further setbacks due to stomach issues, resulting in additional weeks away from training. To prepare adequately for the upcoming World Cup season in Finland, Riiber is prioritizing an extra week of training. Despite these setbacks, he feels confident about his foundational training from the summer.

However, Riiber expressed concerns over new competition formats that make it harder for strong jumpers. The changes introduced last season have intermediary time gaps between competitors determined not only by jump performance but also predetermined intervals. He has reservations about this "compact" format that veers away from the traditional scoring that favored jump distance.

Though he struggles with the feelings of uncertainty regarding his performance this season, Riiber remains hopeful and asserts that over time, he will be able to adapt and continue to compete strongly in Nordic combined events.