Nordic Combined World Cup returns to Lake Placid

The FIS Nordic Combined World Cup will visit Lake Placid for the first time since 1989, with the series returning to the United States after an absence of over 25 years.

This will be the first time the women’s Nordic Combined World Cup has stopped in North America since its inception in 2020/21. On February 5 2027, there will be Individual Gundersen races with Individual Mass Starts the following day. 

Steamboat Springs (USA) was part of the Nordic Combined World Cup for eight seasons until its last event in December 2001. Park City also staged a World Cup race in January 2001 as a test event for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games.

Lake Placid did stage Nordic Combined at the 2025 Junior World Ski Championships where Paul Walcher (AUT) won two golds and a silver medal.

Located in the Adirondack Mountains in New York State, Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. It has staged the Ski Jumping World Cup in recent years, but its scheduled round in last season’s program was canceled due to repairs required to an observation deck on the hill. With those repairs completed, it is back on the calendar with competition taking place on February 6 and 7.

The Cross-Country Skiing phase will be held at Mt Van Hoevenberg, the site of March’s Cross-Country World Cup Finals. Home hero Jessie Diggins ended her career in style by clinching a fourth overall Crystal Globe.

"Having a home event is important for us and finally gives our athletes a chance to compete in front of their friends and family," said USA Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Sport Director Anders Johnson. "I have to give a huge shoutout to Rebecca Dayton and her team at the Olympic Regional Development Authority for their massive efforts in brining Nordic Combined back to the U.S."

Team USA athlete Erik Lynch says "it means so much" to have the World Cup returning to the U.S. "We got pulled out of school to watch the World Cup at Steamboat Springs around 2000 or 2001," he recalls. "Having so many spectators, the atmosphere, the excitement, and my whole school there watching all the best athletes from around the world competing... It felt like such a huge event and, since then, it was always a dream for me to compete in a World Cup on home soil one day.

"It's so incredible that day is finally approaching, and we have the best women in the world competing too. It means so much to see all the progress, growth, and opportunity in the sport. Thank you, FIS Nordic Combined, Nordic Combined USA, and Lake Placid for making this happen!

"I'm most looking forward to having so many friends and family being able to make it to the event in person. And I'm excited see what kind of aspiration this event creates in the incredible USA athletes coming up in Nordic Combined right now. Every nation that hosts a World Cup has a big positive impact on the depth of their Nordic Combined program. So much investment went into making this facility in Lake Placid modern and world class. I can't wait for the best athletes to compete here."

Alexa Brabec is one of Team USA’s best chances of success on home snow having secured her first victory on her way to second place in last season’s overall standings. Tara Geraghty-Moats, who won the very first World Cup race and title in 2020/21, made a fine comeback to the series with two podium finishes in the last campaign.

Annika Malacinski is knocking on the door of the top five in World Cup, while younger brother Niklas made his top 10 debut late last season.

"I am excited to finally have a home World Cup in the U.S. again," said Niklas Malacinski. "It’s been a long time since we’ve had a strong U.S. presence, and hopefully this is a start. I think tapping into the U.S. market with this World Cup can make a significant difference with new fans and more eyes on the sport."

Geraghty-Moats and Carter Brubaker will defend their titles at the U.S. National Championships starting Friday at Lake Placid. A final inspection for the World Cup will also take place this weekend.