Nordic insider Peter Graves comments on everything from the French ski national championships, a new tour ready to launch, and the COC finishing another strong season.

Hey, ski friends, there is a lot of new news to get caught up on so let's scan the Nordic world for the latest.

The Finnish National Ski Jumping team will have new leadership and direction for the coming season, it has been announced. Long-time head coach Janne Vaeaetaeinen will step down and Finnish native Pekka Niemelae, who has worked in recent years for the growing French jumping squad, will assume the reins of the program. Niemelae, who has been working with the French team since 2006, will take over this spring.

What I saw at the Olympics and Paralympics covered a wide gamut of emotions. We cheered, cried; we felt hope, awe, amazement, pride; and we were inspired. We who worked at the Games made new and fast friends working in the frenzied environment that we were working in -- I suspect they'll be bonds that last for the rest of our lives. Working at the Games has been a lifetime blessing for me; it has broadened my outlook, and it has instructed me to believe anything is possible. It always imbues me with hope.

I do hope you all enjoyed Vancouver, either watching on the tube or as spectators. The Nordic events delivered a powerful punch of drama and soul that I shall never forget -- and the Paralympics still have to go.

Cross-country's opening day at the Olympics proved disappointing for many nations, but the United States says it is ready for the upcoming classical sprints on Wednesday.

The last few days since my arrival have been lovely. There is the last-minute hustle and bustle that is to be expected, and everyone has been delightful and easy to work with. I now have my uniform and credential, and all is good.

With the Vancouver Olympics now just a week away, final preparations are well in swing. Peter Graves reports on international teams currently training in Park City, Utah; Austria's Felix Gottwald training in Las Vegas; the World Cup competition this weekend in Alberta, Canada; as well as all the latest happenings in the nordic disciplines.

As the days grow ever closer to the start of the Winter Olympics, I got the chance to speak with the head coach of the U.S. Nordic Combined Team, Dave Jarrett. What follows is our brief conversation.