Essential funding boost secures coaching for Nordic Combined USA

“The Norwegian coaching partnership provides some great opportunities for Nordic Combined in the U.S. right now,” said Jill Brabec, board chair of NCUSA in a statement. “Due to funding restructuring for the sport on a national level, we established Nordic Combined USA earlier this year to support the future of the sport. This partnership wouldn’t have been possible without the support of generous donors and the grant funding from FIS.”

In response to financial difficulties and the subsequent reorganization by the former leadership organization for Nordic Combined, a group of volunteers across the U.S. formed a grassroots movement to lead and fundraise for Nordic Combined.

“We’ve come a long way in just four months of operation. We still have a way to go to cover expenses for these athletes and the sport, but we are excited and can’t wait for the upcoming winter season” said Taylor Fletcher, retired athlete and board member of NCUSA in the statement.

The partnership with Norway will allow U.S. coaches to work closely with their Norwegian counterparts, exchanging training methods and high-performance strategies. NCUSA aims to build a stronger program by sharing resources and expertise with the best in the world.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with the Norwegian team and to build on last season’s success,” said veteran U.S. team member Ben Loomis in a statement. “With a ‘home’ World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, it’s going to be an exciting event to watch!”

Nordic Combined USA, a nonprofit, is dedicated to advancing the Olympic sport that combines the endurance of cross-country skiing with the precision of ski jumping. The organization supports athletes from grassroots development through elite competition, including the U.S. National Team.

The U.S. men’s team will make its season debut at the World Cup in Ruka, Finland, Nov. 28 through Dec. 1.