SUMMER FESTIVAL IN VAL DI FIEMME NORDIC COMBINED, A SPECTACULAR WINNING MIX

Knowing how to jump far and ski fast: two skills at the opposite ends of the sporting spectrum that come together in the equally historic and original discipline of the Nordic Combined, offering a concentration of action and dynamism. From September 18 to 21, Val di Fiemme will be eagerly awaiting the specialists of the Nordic Combined in its summer variant (Ski Jumping and Roller-skiing), who will compete on the international stage of the FIS Nordic Summer Festival alongside their ski jumping and roller-skiing colleagues.

Nordic Combined, as one might imagine, has its roots in Norway, and it has been part of the Olympic Sports since the first Olympic Games in 1924, but it is Val di Fiemme that is one of its most prestigious locations. For decades, this valley in Trentino has promoted one of the most exciting sports, which has also seen significant growth in the women's movement in recent years. Unlike the eagerly awaited Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the FIS Nordic Summer Festival will also be open to female Nordic Combined athletes and will offer three different competitions. On Friday 19th, the women's Gundersen will open the Nordic Combined programme with the Ski jumping part on the HS109 hill at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium and the cross-country part, which in the summer version will be practised with roller-skis on the streets of Ziano di Fiemme, over 5 km. On Saturday 20th, it will be the turn of the Mixed Team with women and men taking turns in jumping on the Normal Hill (HS109) and in the following Roller-skiing sections (M 5km, W 2.5km, W 2.5km, M 5km). On Sunday 21st, the grand finale will take place with the men's Gundersen (jumping from the HS143 hill and 10 km of roller-skiing).

The smooth asphalt of Ziano di Fiemme, already the scene of the World Championships, and the renovated Ski Jumping stadium of Predazzo, with its special green plastic mats that will be properly watered to create a feeling as close as possible to snow on the landing slopes, will allow Nordic Combined specialists to perform at their best at the FIS Nordic Summer Festival. In the past, great champions of the discipline have already distinguished themselves in Val di Fiemme, such as the multi-titled Norwegian Bjarte Engen Vik, who dominated the 1990s, or his colleagues Ronny Ackermann (GER) and Hannu Manninen (FIN), who enlivened the early 2000s. Great protagonists such as Eric Frenzel (GER), Johannes Rydzek (GER) and Akito Watabe (JPN) have also made their mark in Stalimen and the surrounding area, not to mention modern champion Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR).

Now all eyes are on the present and future of Nordic combined. The champions of the future will establish themselves in Val di Fiemme at the September events of the FIS Nordic Summer Festival, which will be valid as final stage of the 2025 FIS Summer Grand Prix and will award the crystal globes to Nordic Combined athletes, but also at the Italian OPEN Championships in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined (December 23rd) and, above all, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games (February 6-22).

The Nordic Combined races will be part of the packed programme of the FIS Nordic Summer Festival, which will also feature Ski Jumping and Roller-skiing, as well as an interesting variety of side events. One of the strengths of the event, organised by the Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme organising committee, will be its ability to involve not only professionals and athletes, but also fans from Italy and around the world, enthusiasts, and the local population. Thanks to the involvement of the schools of the valley, exciting initiatives such as ‘Jump in the Breakfast’ and the wild parties scheduled for the weekend, there will be something for all tastes and ages. Extensive TV coverage and the company of Tina & Milo, the Olympic Games friendly mascots, will complete the local OC's offering, with staff and the invaluable volunteers ready to take yet another step towards the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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