Why One of the Olympics’ Oldest Sports Still Excludes Women—and Why Moms Are Leading the Fight to Change It

Nordic Combined demands fearlessness, endurance, and grit. So why are women still sidelined?

For more than a century, Nordic Combined has tested the world’s toughest winter athletes—blending the heart-pounding thrill of ski jumping with the stamina of cross-country skiing. Competitors launch themselves down steep terrain, fly the length of a football field through the air, and then immediately race five kilometers on skinny skis. It’s dramatic. It’s demanding. And it’s been part of the Olympic Games since 1924.

There’s just one problem: women still aren’t allowed to compete.

In the latest episode of the Ski Moms Podcast, host Nicole Feliciano sits down with Jill Brabec, President of Nordic Combined USA, to unpack why this historic sport continues to exclude women—and how a group of determined parents is fighting to change that.

A Ski Mom Turned Advocate

Jill Brabec didn’t set out to become a national sports advocate. She’s a mom from Steamboat Springs whose daughter, Alexa, fell in love with Nordic Combined—a sport so niche that most Americans don’t even know it exists.

Alexa trains year-round, often in Norway, where the sport is taken seriously and female athletes compete at the highest international levels. She jumps the same hills as men. She races the same courses. She competes in 17 World Cup events for women worldwide.

And yet, because of gender-based restrictions, Alexa cannot compete in the Olympic Games.

“It’s really hard to see one sibling able to go to the Olympics and the other sibling not able to go simply because of gender,” Jill shares in the episode.

That reality pushed Jill—and other parents like her—to act. When funding for the U.S. Nordic Combined team collapsed, families stepped in, forming a nonprofit to keep the program alive and advocate for equality in the sport.

The 2026 Setback—and a Crucial 2030 Opportunity

Despite decades of progress for women in winter sports, female Nordic Combined athletes were officially denied entry to the 2026 Olympic Games. The decision came as a shock to many, especially given the success of women’s ski jumping, which faced nearly identical resistance just 15 years ago.

Back then, critics argued there wasn’t enough depth, interest, or viewership. Today, women’s ski jumping is a thriving Olympic event.

This spring, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will review data from the 2026 Games and decide whether women’s Nordic Combined will be included in 2030. Jill and other advocates believe this window is critical—not just for today’s athletes, but for the girls coming up behind them.

“What this fight is for is for that next group of girls that are coming up and their chance to pursue it,” Jill explains. “And whatever other girls are out there looking for a sport that just fits.”

Why This Matters to Moms—and the Next Generation

Nordic Combined isn’t just an elite international sport; it’s one families can access closer to home. Programs in the U.S. start as young as ages 5–6, with training hubs in Lake Placid, Park City, and Steamboat Springs. For adventurous kids who love speed, snow, and challenge, it can be a perfect fit.

But visibility matters. Olympic inclusion drives funding, participation, and legitimacy—especially for girls deciding whether a sport is “for them.”

How You Can Support Women in Nordic Combined

Advocacy doesn’t always start on the slopes. Jill encourages supporters to help in simple but meaningful ways:

Watch men’s Nordic Combined events on February 11, 17, and 19 to boost viewership data
Sign the petition at nordiccombinedusa.org
Follow and share athletes’ stories on Instagram at @NordicCombinedUSA

As moms, we understand the power of opportunity—and the impact of being told “no” simply because of gender. Nordic Combined may be one of the Olympics’ oldest sports, but with enough support, its future could finally include women.