Women’s Nordic Combined still excluded from Olympics, Despite U.S. financial backing

PARK CITY, Utah — Nordic Combined USA screened a new short film about its sport at a reception during the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Spring Congress in Park City on Tuesday, at the Westgate Hotel at Canyons Village. The event was well-attended engaging key leaders in the sport including Olympic Champion Billy Demong, 2022 Olympian from the Park City Ski & Snowboard Team Steven Schumann, and Park City Councilwoman Tana Toly, in a personal capacity.

Toly has employed eleven nordic combined athletes in her Main Street Pizza restaurant over the years and prominently displays global and local sport-specific memorabilia as its decor.

The Film, “Annika – Where She Lands” follows U.S. athlete Annika Malacinski’s pioneering journey as she fights for a place women have never been allowed: the Olympic Games in Nordic Combined.

“Our strength and competitiveness are undeniable,” says Malacinski. “It’s time for women to be part of the Olympic history of Nordic Combined. I believe the 2030 and 2034 Games, especially Salt Lake City, could finally be the moment we break this barrier.”

It shines a light on a sport that remains one of the last holdouts of Olympic inequality.

Watch the film in its 10 minute entirety below:

 

In 2022 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made the controversial decision not to include women’s Nordic Combined in the 2026 Winter Olympics—keeping it the only Winter Olympic sport still closed to women. As the IOC prepares to reconsider inclusion for future Games, her journey captures the resilience and hope driving this movement forward.

On Wednesday, also in conjunction with the annual Spring meetings, nordic combined was included in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s landmark renewal of their partnership with Stifel from May 2026 through April 2034. This unprecedented eight-year agreement marks the most expansive partnership in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s history and expands through the next three Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Niklas Malacinski, a member of the Stifel U.S. Nordic Combined Team is Annika’s brother, and besides their mother, is her biggest fan. 

“Having Stifel step up as the title sponsor of the Stifel U.S. Nordic Combined Team means the world to us. It’s not just an investment in our sport but it’s a belief in our potential. Their support gives us the opportunity to focus on training and competition so we can be at our best. We’re proud to wear their name and represent the U.S. with everything we’ve got,” Malacinski said in a statement.

Under the renewed agreement, Stifel will be the title partner of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, supporting the other disciplines of alpine, cross country, freeski, moguls, aerials, ski jumping, and Para alpine teams. 

Olympian mogul skier Nick Page, a Park City native, also expressed gratitude for the financial support.

“Thank you Stifel for all of your support – it means the world to have you in our corner and on our team. I’m looking forward to the future and our continued success in 2026,” he said. 

Stifel is the exclusive financial services partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard.