Historic World Cup in a Nordic combination - but not without criticism

Pre-favorite Tara Geraghty-Moats, USA, won the historic first women's competition.

The American went out in the long distance tracks as sixth, 37 seconds behind the Norwegian Gyda Westvold Hansen, who led after the ski jumping part.

After 3.3 of the 5 kilometers, Geraghty-Moats was in the race and past the Norwegian, and finally won by a margin of 1.5 seconds.

Westvold Hansen retained second place by a good margin, and Anju Nakamura, Japan, finished third.

Tara Geraghty-Moats was thus able to rejoice in a memorable World Cup victory and that a barrier was broken.

After the turn of the year, another is broken when the ladies are also included in the WC program in Oberstdorf.

-It is important to feel that we are doing a "real" sport, said Norwegian Marte Leinan Lund to NRK, before the competition.

- We do not go straight around thinking that we are historical, but it is clear that it is fantastic to be part of this.

Distinguishes almost 50,000

At the same time, it is far from the same for both sexes.

The men have more competitions during a World Cup weekend, more competitions at the World Cup and when it comes to the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has so far said no to a women's competition in a Nordic combination.

Then we have the prize money.

The women's winner in Ramsau is rewarded with 2,800 Swiss francs (around 26,000 kronor) for her first place.

The men's winner also receives 8,000 Swiss francs, close to 75,000 kronor.

- It is still a fact that sport has not come far enough with gender equality.

That men should get much more than women for a victory is wrong, says Ivar Stuan, sports director for the Norwegian national team in a Nordic combination, to NRK.

- It's very unfair.

Arguments such as market forces and television money are used, but by 2020 we should have come much further.

Fis defends the difference

Lasse Ottesen is branch manager for Nordic combination in the International Ski Federation (Fis).

He agrees with Stuan, but believes that it is not feasible right now.

- We at Fis aim for it to be the same prize money for women and men.

There is no doubt about that, and we are working towards it.

Right now there is no value for the ladies' combination, as it has not been on the market before.

Now we hopefully get good viewing figures and can show ourselves in that way, Ottesen says to NRK.

Next season, the prize money for the ladies will increase to 4,500 Swiss francs, says Ottesen.