Nordic Combined 101: Tasks of a TD

In the world of Nordic Combined, where Ski Jumping and Cross-Country skiing come together in one of winter sport’s most demanding disciplines, the Technical Delegate (TD) plays a crucial role. Appointed by the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS), the TD is responsible for making sure every competition is carried out fairly, safely, and according to the official rules.

But what does that actually mean in practice? Let’s take a closer look at what a TD does – and why their work is indispensable.

The backbone of a fair competition

At its core, the TD’s job is to ensure that the competition meets all requirements of the FIS International Competition Rules (ICR). This includes everything from checking hill and course conditions to verifying that athletes compete under equal and safe circumstances. The TD works closely with the organizing committee and the FIS Race Director team to keep everything on track.

Responsibilities at a glance:

• Venue Inspection
  Before the first athlete takes off, the TD inspects the jumping hill, cross-country course, athlete areas, and infrastructure. Safety, fairness, and readiness are top priorities.

• Rule Compliance
  From equipment checks to gate and wind decisions, the TD makes sure that all technical regulations are followed by organizers and athletes alike.

• Jury Participation
  The TD is part of the competition jury together with the Assistant TD and Chief of Competition, working alongside the Race Director, Assistant Race Director and National TD to make crucial decisions – especially in challenging conditions.

• Meetings and Communication
  TDs lead or attend team captains’ meetings, deliver schedule or format updates, and provide clear communication to teams and stakeholders.

• Supervision of results and protests
  They oversee timing, results management, and handle any formal protests, often in collaboration with Swiss Timing and equipment control staff.

• Post-Event Reporting
  After the competition, the TD has to confirm the result lists and submits a detailed report to FIS evaluating how the event was run and highlighting any rule violations or suggestions for improvement.

Communication: Behind the radio

A good TD must also be a strong communicator. Internally, they coordinate with the event crew – often via radio – to ensure timing, start procedures, and athlete movements go smoothly. In parallel, they support external communication through the event’s Media Coordinator, particularly if there are schedule changes or competition decisions that need to be explained to broadcasters or fans.

Whether speaking with local organizers, calming nervous teams during weather delays, or helping the public understand a gate change, the TD is often the silent force keeping the event professional and transparent.

A key role in every World Cup and Championship

From World Cups to World Championships and Olympic Winter Games, TDs are essential to the success of every Nordic Combined competition. While fans may not see them front and center, their expertise ensures that what unfolds on the hill and on the track is fair, safe, and worthy of the athletes’ dedication.

In short: without TDs, Nordic Combined is not possible.