ABOUT
There is evidence that primitive skis were used in Norway over 5000 years ago. As early as the 10th century, Vikings used skis for transportation. It wasn't until the 19th century, however, that ski competitions came into existence, starting in Norway. The famous Holmenkollen ski festival was started in 1892. At first, the main focus of these Nordic festivals was the Nordic combined event - cross-country skiing and ski jumping. In 1900, a separate cross-country race was held at the Holmenkollen.
COMPETITION
At the Olympic Winter Games, the cross-country discipline comprises twelve different cross-country skiing events. Women compete in the sprint, team sprint, 10km individual start, 15km pursuit, 30km mass start and the 4x5km relay. Men compete in the sprint, team sprint, 15km individual start, 30km pursuit, 50km mass start and the 4x10km relay.
Sprint Events
The sprint begins with individual time trials on the sprint course with a 15-second interval start. The fastest 16 athletes move on to elimination heats. The top two finishers in each quarter-final advance to the semi-final rounds, which are held as two heats of four athletes each. The final round consists of one heat of four athletes (two from each semi-final heat).
Team Sprint Events
The team sprint event consists of semi-finals and final rounds. In the semi-final heats there are 10 or more teams consisting of two athletes (A and B) who perform the relay three times (A, B, A, B, A, B). The best five teams qualify for the final.
Pursuit Events
The pursuit events have a mass start and the athletes use both techniques within the same race. During a pit stop at the stadium after half of the race distance has been completed, the athletes change equipment from the classical to free technique.
Mass Start
Competitors start simultaneously, lined up in rows. The first competitor across the finish line wins the race.
Interval Start
Competitors start in intervals of 30 or 15 seconds depending on the event. The athlete with the fastest individual time wins.
Relays
A team consists of four athletes, each of whom skis one leg of the race and then tags off to a team-mate. The relay has a mass start.
There is evidence that primitive skis were used in Norway over 5000 years ago. As early as the 10th century, Vikings used skis for transportation. It wasn't until the 19th century, however, that ski competitions came into existence, starting in Norway. The famous Holmenkollen ski festival was started in 1892. At first, the main focus of these Nordic festivals was the Nordic combined event - cross-country skiing and ski jumping. In 1900, a separate cross-country race was held at the Holmenkollen.
COMPETITION
At the Olympic Winter Games, the cross-country discipline comprises twelve different cross-country skiing events. Women compete in the sprint, team sprint, 10km individual start, 15km pursuit, 30km mass start and the 4x5km relay. Men compete in the sprint, team sprint, 15km individual start, 30km pursuit, 50km mass start and the 4x10km relay.
Sprint Events
The sprint begins with individual time trials on the sprint course with a 15-second interval start. The fastest 16 athletes move on to elimination heats. The top two finishers in each quarter-final advance to the semi-final rounds, which are held as two heats of four athletes each. The final round consists of one heat of four athletes (two from each semi-final heat).
Team Sprint Events
The team sprint event consists of semi-finals and final rounds. In the semi-final heats there are 10 or more teams consisting of two athletes (A and B) who perform the relay three times (A, B, A, B, A, B). The best five teams qualify for the final.
Pursuit Events
The pursuit events have a mass start and the athletes use both techniques within the same race. During a pit stop at the stadium after half of the race distance has been completed, the athletes change equipment from the classical to free technique.
Mass Start
Competitors start simultaneously, lined up in rows. The first competitor across the finish line wins the race.
Interval Start
Competitors start in intervals of 30 or 15 seconds depending on the event. The athlete with the fastest individual time wins.
Relays
A team consists of four athletes, each of whom skis one leg of the race and then tags off to a team-mate. The relay has a mass start.
LIST OF EVENTS *
- - 10km pursuit Men
- 15km Men
- 30km mass start Men
- 4x10km relay Men
- 50km Men
- Sprint 1,5km Men
- - 10km Women
- 15km mass start Women
- 30km Women
- 4x5km relay Women
- 5km pursuit Women
- sprint 1.5km Women
* On the Programme of the XX Olympic Winter Games, Torino 2006
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