How Does Scoring Work In Nordic Combined?

Nordic combined is a sport that combines two facets of skiing: ski jumping and cross-country skiing, into one event. A feature sport in the Winter Olympics, Nordic combined has a unique and complex scoring method. Athletes are first scored on the quality of their ski jumps via a point system, the results are then converted to times to determine their starting places in the cross-country race, which is won by crossing the finish line first. The method used to combine these scores into one overall score is called the Gundersen Method. 

Nordic Combined Scoring

Nordic combined events include two types of skiing: a ski jump followed by a cross-country race. Athletes begin by performing a ski jump on a normal or large hill and then perform a 10-kilometer cross-country race. For a Nordic combined team relay, four athletes perform jumps from a large hill and then compete together in a 4x5 kilometer cross-country race.

There are three types of Nordic combined events, all of which use a similar scoring method: the individual normal hill, the individual large hill, and the team relay. The first two events are structured similarly, beginning with a ski jump and then a 10-kilometer cross-country race. The distinction between them is in the size of the hill involved in the jump. For the individual normal hill, athletes jump from a 90-98 meter hill, while in the individual large hill, athletes jump from a 120-125 meter hill.

In Nordic combined, the individual scores for each athlete’s ski jump determine the starting order for the cross-country race that follows. The scores are converted to times using the Gundersen Method (explained below) and then applied to the start of the cross-country race, which is a pursuit race. The first athlete to cross the finish line of the cross-country race is considered the event’s winner.  

Ski Jump Scoring

In Nordic combined, ski jumping is scored by a points system. Three factors determine overall points: the distance jumped, the style of the jump, and gate and wind compensation points.

Distance points are awarded to each athlete on a scale of 60 and are given out based upon the K-Point, or height, of the hill being jumped from. A jumper who lands on the K-Point of the hill receives 60 points exactly, while jumpers who land over or under the K-Point lose or gain points from 60 based upon how many meters away from the K-Point they landed. Each meter between the K-Point and the landing earns 2 additional points on the normal hill and 1.8 on the large hill. Therefore, if an athlete jumps 100 meters on a K98 hill, they will receive 4 extra points (2 meter-value points x 2 meters past the K-Point) in addition to the base 60 points, for a score of 64.

Style points are awarded on a scale of 0 to 60 and are split into three subcategories, each of which has the potential to gain an athlete 20 points. The three subcategories are flight, landing, and outrun. The flight score judges the quality of the jumper’s movement through the air, focusing on takeoff aggression, use of air pressure, stable positioning, and symmetry. Landing scores are based on elements such as the movement of the head, body, and arms, the smoothness of the landing, and the application of pressure on the legs. Finally, outrun scoring depends upon whether the athlete remains in the telemark position, raises the upper body, and relaxes effectively from their landing. The maximum score an athlete can receive in style points is 60.

Additional points can be added or removed from an athlete’s score based upon external factors, such as the strength and direction of the wind or changes to the starting gate. 

Cross-Country Scoring

Scoring for the cross-country race in Nordic combined is based on athlete’s ski jump performance. The race begins with a staggered start, with the highest-scoring jumper starting first and the others following at intervals based on their performance in the ski jump. This is done using the Gundersen Method.

For the cross-country portion of the Nordic combined, there is no scoring for the race itself, as it is a pursuit race. Therefore, whoever crosses the finish line first wins the competition, even if they had a lower score than other athletes on the ski jump. 

The Gundersen Method

The Gundersen Method was created by Gunder Gundersen, a Norwegian who invented a conversion system to determine how ski jumpers in the Nordic combined would be staggered for their cross-country race. The method involves converting each ski jumping point into a set number of seconds.

Invented to remove the confusion over how ski jumpers in Nordic combined should be staggered at the start of the cross-country race, the Gundersen Method allows the number of points scored in the ski jump to be converted to a set number of seconds. This is then used to stagger the athletes in their starts for the cross-country event. The conversion rates for jumping points under the Gundersen Method are as follows.

• Individual Normal Hill: 1 point = 4 seconds
• Individual Large Hill: 1 point = 4 seconds
• Team Relay: 1 point = 1.33 seconds

For the Team Relay event, scores are rounded off, with any score of 0.5 or below rounded down to the nearest second and scores above 0.5 rounded up. Therefore, if a team is only one point behind another team, they will start the race one second later because 1.33 rounds down to one, but if they are two points behind, they will start three seconds later because 2.66 rounds up to three.

Summary of Nordic Combined Scoring Rules

• Nordic combined scores are determined based upon athletes’ performances in two stages: ski jumping and cross-country skiing
• Ski jumping is scored in three categories via a points system: distance (scale of 60), style (0 to 60), and gate and wind compensation points
• The Gundersen Method is used to convert ski jumping points to seconds, determining in what order and at what times athletes will begin their cross-country race
• Whichever athlete or team crosses the finish line of the cross-country race first wins the event

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