Ida Marie Hagen: "It’s a passion, not a job”

At just 25 years old, Ida Marie Hagen has already collected the kind of achievements most athletes spend an entire career chasing.

The Norwegian is a two-time Overall World Cup champion, has won 28 World Cup competitions – including 11 last winter alone – and wore the yellow bib from the opening event in Trondheim all the way to the season finale in Oslo.

Yet her motivation goes beyond results. Whether she's celebrating a victory of her own or applauding a rival's first World Cup win, her passion lies in competing and constantly pushing herself to improve.

We caught up with one of Nordic Combined’s biggest stars to talk life at the top of the sport, rivalry and her most Norwegian trait.

You wore the yellow bib so much last season that it practically became part of your wardrobe. When the season ended, were you sad to put it away, or relieved to finally wear and do something else?

In one way, I am always sad when the season is finished because I know it will be a long time before I get to see all the girls again and compete in the coolest thing I know. I also think our season could be even longer. We train all year for it, and I would love to have more competitions because competition days are my favorite days of the year.

But in another way, it was nice to actually take some time to be proud of what the team and I achieved together. After the season, it's also nice to have more time with my friends and family again and, of course, wear all my normal clothes again.

Alexa Brabec, Minja Korhonen and Katharina Gruber all got their first World Cup wins this season. Whenever that happens, you seem almost as happy as they are. How do you manage to be such a good sport when someone has just beaten you?

I remember the feeling I had after my first win, and I know how special that is. I also know that these girls have worked just as hard as I have to be where they are today, so I really think they deserve to win.

If I do my best, I can be happy with my performance even if I don't win. Then the person who wins was simply better that day and deserves to be on top.

You recently had your first training camp with the team in Norway. How nice was it to be back together with your teammates again, and what are the main things you're hoping to work on before the new season begins?

It was so cool to be back with the team again, and I'm especially happy that my sister Mille is on the team this year. That makes it even more fun to travel and train together.

The main thing I will work on this summer is improving my jumping.

Talking about Norway: Next to being incredibly fast on cross-country skis, what's the most Norwegian thing about you?

The most Norwegian thing about me is that brown cheese is my favourite thing to have on bread or waffles. I actually ate almost nothing but brown cheese on bread for lunch until I was 13 years old.

You're heading towards Falun 2027 as the athlete everyone wants to beat. Do you enjoy that role, or would you rather be the huntress?

I think the women's field has become so strong now, and the margins are much smaller than they used to be, so I feel like I am chasing as well.

But being the one people want to beat also means you've done something right, which is never a bad thing either.

The decision about the Olympic future of Nordic Combined takes place this month. If you could sit down with the IOC for five minutes, what would be the one thing you'd want them to know about the sport?

Nordic Combined is the soul of winter sports. It is a combination of technique, tactics, speed and endurance. In my eyes, it has every reason to be an Olympic sport.

You've won a lot already, but is there still a result, moment, or achievement that feels unfinished and keeps you motivated every day?

The thing that motivates me the most is the moments and the life I get to live as an athlete. I love this life, and it feels more like a passion than a job.

I never get tired of competing. Sometimes I get tired of training, but then I try to remember all the fun that travelling and competing gives me. That makes it easier to put in the extra work.

And with the World Championships in Trondheim still on my mind, I feel there is more to achieve. I don't feel completely finished with my championship career yet.