NoCo TD Seminar held alongside Winter Olympic venue inspections in Predazzo

The Nordic Combined Technical Delegate Seminar took place in Predazzo (ITA) from June 13-14, 2025. Predazzo, situated in Val di Fiemme, will stage Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. 

Held every two years, the NoCo TD Seminar gathers TDs, race officials and key stakeholders to exchange ideas and knowledge as well as align on key topics ahead of the upcoming seasons. This edition welcomed 58 participants from 15 nations including six candidates for Technical Delegate (TD) roles. 

The seminar started with a welcome from Race Director Lasse Ottesen, who also provided a review of the 2024/25 season. The group was then addressed by Günter Csar, Chair of the Sub-Committee Rules and Control and leader of the seminar. 

“It’s a very very important seminar for us to make sure that our TDs and officials are up to date with everything happening,” reflected Ottesen. “For new candidates coming in, we’re bringing them through the system. 

“And of course, when we have the opportunity to be here, we can look at the Olympic venues and use those as our background for the TD seminar. It’s a really good opportunity for us to really take a closer look at them.” 

Throughout the day, a range of experts spoke about NoCo’s educational program with Csar giving updates on rule changes and the TD reporting process. 

Assistant Race Director Jan Rune Grave gave a presentation on wind and gate handling and technical operations with Media Coordinator Sophie Hargesheimer addressing internal and external communication practices for TDs. 

Jonas Würth (GER) explained the procedures around protests and sanctions, while Andrea Roggia (ITA) provided insights into the role of the Chief of Competition. 

Daniel Köhler (GER) focused on result control and data accuracy, and FIS Equipment Controller Guntram Kraus led a detailed session on equipment control protocols. 

Day Two was focused largely on integrity and venue practice. It also saw the six TD candidates evaluated for the role. 

The morning began with FIS Education Manager Cornelia Blank leading a workshop on sports integrity, safeguarding, and education.

After that, the participants conducted inspections on the Predazzo jumping hill, and the Tesoro Cross-Country Stadium where the Val di Fiemme course starts and finishes at MiCo 2026. 

After lunch, there was a recap and general discussion. The candidates for the TD roles also took their theoretical exams with Linda Svendsrud among them. 

When asked why she wanted to become a NoCo TD, Norwegian Svendsrud replied, “First of all, because I love NoCo and I’ve been a part of the NoCo family for several years. I’m a Chief of Competition - I’m certified as a Chief of Competitions in Ski Jumping - and I really also want to be able to have competitions in NoCo, and hopefully be a TD around the world.” 

The seminar concluded with a group dinner where delegates and officials were able to reflect, exchange information, and collaborate at the end of the two-day session.