Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Competition Sequence
All Nordic combined events follow the same fundamental sequence: ski jumping first, then cross-country skiing. The jumping phase determines the start time gaps for the cross-country phase using the Gundersen method. This creates a pursuit-style cross-country race where the first athlete across the finish line wins, making the result immediately clear to spectators.
5.2 The Gundersen Method
- Jumping results (total points from distance + style + wind/gate compensation) are converted into time differences relative to the leader
- Conversion factor (Individual): On 5–15 km courses, 15 points = 1 minute, so each point difference = 4 seconds (e.g., an athlete 10 points behind the jumping leader starts 40 seconds behind) (ICR 527.4.1)
- Conversion factor (Team): In the Team Gundersen (4×5 km), 60 points = 1 minute, i.e. 1 second per point (ICR 527.4.1)
- The winner of the jumping competition starts first; all other athletes start at their converted time gaps, rounded to full seconds (ICR 525.2.1)
- This system rewards consistency across both disciplines; a strong jumper who is a weak skier can be caught, and vice versa
5.3 Jumping Phase Rules
- One competition round (one jump per athlete), except the Individual Gundersen 15 km with two scored rounds; one trial round must be included in the program, and using the trial jump is up to each jumper (ICR 525.1.1)
- Scored identically to standalone ski jumping: distance points + 5 style judges (highest and lowest dropped, 3 remaining scores summed) + wind/gate compensation (ICR 527.2.3.1, 525.1.2)
- At OWG, WSC, World Cup and Continental Cup, the jumping start order is the reverse of the current Cup standings; athletes without Cup points are drawn in groups before those with points (ICR 523.2.1)
- Gate and wind compensation: points added or subtracted based on in-run gate position and wind conditions to ensure fairness
- Telemark landing (one foot ahead of the other) is essential for full style marks; a two-footed landing results in deductions
5.4 Cross-Country Phase Rules
- The cross-country race is skied in free technique, which includes all cross-country techniques (ICR 527.4.2)
- Individual Gundersen: 5 to 15 km (10 km at the Olympics) on 2.0 or 2.5 km laps through the stadium (ICR 512.1, 528.1)
- Team relay: 4×5 km; the exchange is a tap of the hand on any part of the next competitor’s body while both are in the 30 m exchange zone (ICR 525.2.17, 515.2.11)
- At OWG, WSC, World Cup and Grand Prix, competitors who have been lapped are pulled from the race and ranked at the place where they were removed (ICR 525.2.3)
5.5 Compact Format (World Cup)
FIS has introduced compact formats for World Cup events to increase spectator appeal. The Compact Individual format uses a 5 or 7.5 km cross-country race (ICR 512.1) whose starts follow a fixed interval table rather than a point conversion: the jumping winner starts at 0:00, second at 0:06, third at 0:12, and so on (ICR 541.1.4). Mass Start events reverse the order, with a mass-start cross-country race first and one round of jumping second; the race winner receives zero points and the rest of the field minus points under the conversion table (ICR 542.1, 542.2.1). These formats are used at select World Cup events but not yet at the Olympics.