Norwegian Ida Marie Hagen has dominated this season. Ten victories, one second place, and one third place – that’s her impressive record from this winter’s twelve World Cup events in Nordic combined.
– I’m really looking forward to competing in Falun, says the 25-year-old ahead of the Continental Cup.
It will be an intense few days of competition for the Nordic combined athletes at the Continental Cup in Lugnet from February 27 to March 1. Two individual events and one team event are on the program.
One of the participants is currently the world’s top athlete, Norwegian Ida Marie Hagen. Despite two World Cup events still remaining, she has already secured the overall victory in this winter’s World Cup. In addition, with ten wins this season, she has made history as the most successful athlete ever in the World Cup, with 25 victories compared to Gyda Westvold Hansen’s 23 wins.
– I actually didn’t know there was a chance to break the record. But of course, it feels amazing. I’m very happy with my season so far, and the support team behind me means a lot – my coaches, my wax technicians, and my teammates, not least my sister Mille. They really make life easier for me so I can focus on what I need to do to improve, says Ida Marie Hagen.
Why Nordic combined?
– I mostly did cross-country skiing as a kid. But I’ve always liked jumping, and did it occasionally. Nordic combined was always in the back of my mind since my dad was involved in it. In 2018, I got mononucleosis and couldn’t do cross-country skiing, so I only jumped. And that’s how it started,” says Hagen, who has dominated the cross-country tracks in Nordic combined.
She is also a strong ski jumper. This year, she is third in the separate ski jumping World Cup for Nordic combined.
– I’ve made big progress in ski jumping. One of the great things about this sport is that you have to vary your training a lot and make sure to optimize so you have enough explosiveness to be a good jumper while still having the endurance for cross-country skiing.”
At the end of the month, Ida Marie Hagen and her Norwegian teammates will come to Falun to compete in the Continental Cup.
– I’m really looking forward to coming to Falun to compete. I’ve never been there before, and it’s exciting to experience new hills and new tracks. It’s one of the most important competitions of the winter, especially with the next season and the World Championships in mind.
Her achievements already include two World Championship golds, both in team events. Next year, her goal is clear.
– Yes, the obvious goal is to win an individual World Championship gold in Falun next year.