I have decided to take a temporary leave from the sport of nordic combined next winter and pursue new challenges both personally and competitively. This past season was a wild ride with extreme highs and lows. The pandemic resulted in the cancellation of 75% of the inaugural women‘s FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season, yet it was still a milestone year for the sport. Having the opportunity to compete in the maiden women’s FIS Nordic Combined World Championships and winning the first women’s nordic combined World Cup is something I have been working towards my entire ski career and I will cherish for the rest of my life. I feel fortunate to have shared those memories with a strong and dedicated group of women who will continue to inspire me moving forward. The sport will always be a part of my life and always have a peice of my soul. I plan to continue in my role as an advocate for women’s competition as well as work with young athletes across the country and world with hopes of keeping the pipeline strong for years to come. I can promise you this is not goodbye to nordic combined. If women’s Nordic combined becomes an Olympic sport I promise I will do everything I can to be there in 2026. Athletically, I have chosen to pursue biathlon, a sport that I competed in as a junior and that could provide new opportunities. To compete at an international level in biathlon will be a serious challenge, but l am excited for it. Personally, in the off-season, I would like to focus on my degree in environmental science, and spend time with my boyfriend upgrading our off the grid cabin in Vermont, as well as make time for family. Other contributing factors in my decision to take time away from the sport concern the daily challenges I face competing in a small and developing women's sport. I need to follow my heart and know this will result in a needed reset moving forward. In the meantime, I’m still Tara, and I plan to keep competing with joy and passion for many years to come. Thank you to Mom, @fisnordiccombined @