Tara Geraghty-Moats, Champion!

After a four-month tour that touched venues spanning the globe, American Tara Geraghty-Moats (W. Fairlee, Vt.) is  the International Ski Federation, Women’s Nordic Combined, Continental Cup 2018-2019 winner.

The 25 year old USA Nordic athlete, skiing out of the New York Ski Education Foundation, conquered 11 Continental Cups this season. She left the competitive field in her wake starting with the first comp and never looked back jumping on top of the podium in a total of 10 venues.  Bigger hills, smaller hills, urban cities, rural towns, cheering fans, quiet stands, warm days, cold nights, wherever, Geraghty-Moats planted her proverbial flag.

“I’ve dreamed about competing in Nordic Combined since I was a little girl.” said Geraghty-Moats. Addressing the immensity of the moment, she added “To be the best in the world for the season is an incredible feeling!”

Atop the podium, looking to her left, looking to her right, Geraghty-Moats continually saw the friendly and familiar face of 16 year old Norwegian, Gyda Westvold Hansen throughout the season.

Literally blazing trails in the landscape of the smaller picture of cross country races is what the world witnessed over the past months. Figuratively blazing trails in the landscape of the bigger picture of Nordic Combined equity on a global scale is what the world didn’t even know it wanted to witness until along came Tara Geraghty-Moats. Storied sports superlatives were created for an athletic career like this one.

Now, jubilation, perhaps a little well-earned rest and relaxation, world class athlete style, which, in Geraghty-Moats’ world usually translates to once in a while only hiking hills instead of mountains. Later, if the past is any indication of the future, back at it to repeat this fast, fun, fearless phenomenon in 2019-2020.