A knack for Nordic Combined runs in Annika Malacinski’s blood. Her father Stephen was a ski instructor, and her mother, Essi hailed from a small town in the arctic circle of Finland. Both Annika and her brother, Nordic Combined National Team member, Niklas Malacinski, were on skis since the time they could walk, both downhill, and cross country. Annika’s career as an athlete began as a gymnast, but when she tried ski jumping for the first time at 16, she fell in love with the feeling of flying. Before every jump, she repeats her mantra, “I am strong. I can do this.” Then, she flys.

Annika qualified for the national team in 2018, overcame a couple of shoulder injuries, and made history competing in the first-ever Women’s Nordic Combined World Cup and World Championships in the 2020/21 season. She hopes to one day qualify for the Olympics.