The Overlooked – A Nordic Combined documentary

In the 2024/25 season, Nordic Combined took a bold step in media storytelling with the release of The Overlooked – The Untold Stories of Nordic Combined Heroes.

This seven-episode documentary series, airing from November 2024 to March 2025, provides an unprecedented look into the lives of the sport’s most dedicated athletes.
By going beyond competition highlights, it sheds light on the personal journeys, struggles, and triumphs that define these athletes both on and off the snow.

Each episode offers an intimate perspective on a different athlete’s unique path. Among those featured are Estonian Kristjan Ilves, who left his home country to train with the Norwegian team in Trondheim, and Joergen Graabak, a double Olympic champion from Norway, who battled through multiple injuries during the summer.

American Annika Malacinski fighting for gender equality and the inclusion of women’s Nordic Combined in the Olympics, while fans gain rare insight into the life of Jarl Magnus Riiber, five-time Overall World Cup winner and reigning World Champion.

The series also follows 19-year-old Nathalie Armbruster, the first German woman to win the Overall World Cup title, Austrian brothers Thomas and Stefan Rettenegger, and Norwegian Overall World Cup winner Ida Marie Hagen, who faces one of the toughest seasons of her career.

Unlike traditional sports coverage, The Overlooked offers raw, behind-the-scenes footage. It follows athletes into their hotel rooms, gym sessions, and personal spaces usually inaccessible to the public. By capturing their training, preparation, and emotions throughout the World Cup season, the series allows fans to see them beyond their professional facades.

The documentary gives the athletes a voice to share their dreams, struggles, and aspirations in their own words. It highlights their unwavering commitment to their sport and the personal sacrifices they make to perform at the highest level, often without the media attention or recognition given to other disciplines.

A key theme of The Overlooked is the ongoing fight for women’s Nordic Combined to be included in the Olympic Winter Games. The series demonstrates how this battle impacts the athletes personally and why equal opportunities in the sport are so crucial.

Filmmaker Alicia Cenci plays a pivotal role in bringing these stories to life. The athletes and their teams open their doors to her, allowing for honest and emotional conversations that rarely happen in the fast-paced World Cup environment. This openness fosters a stronger connection between fans and athletes, offering a rare and authentic portrayal of their lives.

Beyond the athletes themselves, The Overlooked introduces viewers to the people behind their success—families, coaches, and support staff—whose contributions often go unnoticed. The series deepens appreciation for the teamwork and dedication required to succeed in Nordic Combined.

With its honest storytelling and unprecedented access, The Overlooked is more than just a sports documentary. It is a tribute to the spirit of Nordic Combined and the people who make it extraordinary.