The Unfinished Business of Gender Equality with Tara Geraghty-Moats — World Champion in Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping

AthleteSkier

Jun 3

Written By Transdisciplinary

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What institutional barriers are ***still*** holding back world-class female athletes, and what can we do about it?

In this episode, Sylvia is joined by **Tara Geraghty-Moats**, the Nordic combined women’s World Cup champion in 2021, the first season females were granted a World Cup. The sport, which pairs up ski jumping with a pursuit-start skate ski race, was an original men's event in the first 1924 Winter Olympic program. However, as an Olympic sport, Nordic combined remains the only sport, today, that women cannot compete in and are blocked from participating in despite their exceptional physical accomplishments. Sylvia and Tara discuss the challenges and successes faced in her career as a female athlete and an advocate for gender equality.

As we look at ways in which women fly and impediments fixated on denying women opportunities to elevate themselves, this story of gender inequity is dismal but Tara is spirited, optimistic and always ready to pivot, ski, race, and fly on skis — so watch out!

Tara Geraghty-Moats jumping during 2021 World Championship women’s nordic combined individual Gundersen HS106/5km, in Oberstdorf, Germany. Photo Source: NordicFocus

The podium from the individual Gundersen HS98/5km, in Ramsau, Austria: Anju Nakamura (JPN), Tara Geraghty-Moats (USA), Gyda Westvold-Hansen (NOR) (l-r). Photo Source: NordicFocus

Tara Geraghty-Moats during the ski portion one the women’s individual Gundersen HS106/5km, at the 2021 World Championships. Photo Source: NordicFocus

February 27, 2021 Oberstdorf, Germany (GER): Geraghty-Moats Tara (USA) – FIS nordic world ski championships nordic combined women, medals, Oberstdorf (GER).

Tara Geraghty-Moats in action during day two of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Ladies Zao on Jan. 20, 2019 in Yamagata, Japan. Photo Source: TEAMusa.org

Topics Include:

Growing up in Vermont on skis
Environmentalism and sustainable living
The gender pay gap for elite-level athletes
Concentration and balance during high-pressure performances
The institutional barriers blocking the nordic combined women in the Winter Olympics
Access and visibility for female athletes
Advocacy for marginalized groups

Tara Geraghty-Moats, who won the inaugural FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Ramsau, Austria and took home the Overall Crystal Globe for the season in 2021. Geraghty-Moats grew up in West Fairlee, Vermont and has been competing on the Ski Jumping World Cup circuit since 2014.

The most successful female Nordic Combined athlete of the last few years, USA’s Tara Geraghty-Moats, has decided to put her career in Nordic Combined on hold in favour of studying and returning to biathlon.

She is a passionate gender equality advocate and will soar, regardless the obstacles.