A Celebration on Ice and Snow, Beijing 2022: Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a sport where skiers move across snow-covered terrain using ski equipment and basic techniques such as diagonal stride, half-herringbone step, turning and skating. It is also known as the “ski marathon”.

The sport, which originated in Northern Europe, has a long history. It was one of the eight official events of the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924. Cross-country skiing competitions are often held on complex terrain. A course is divided into start, relay exchange and finish zone, and ranges from 3 to 12 metres in width depending on the event. When possible, a course should include one-third uphills, one-third downhills and one-third undulating terrain. To travel more easily across different terrain, athletes fx only the front-ends of the ski boots on the skis to enable better control of direction, speed and balance.

Two types of techniques are used in cross-country skiing competitions: classic techniques and free techniques. The ski courses for the former are prepared trails/pistes that have pairs of parallel grooves (tracks) cutting into the snow. Skiers keep their skis in the parallel grooves when skiing. Skiers move forwards with pole planting. Slower skiers are expected to yield to faster competitors as they are overtaken. Faster skiers can even signal those in the front by stepping on their skis. If the slower athletes do not yield, they are called for a foul. For free technique skiing, which is more flexible, the trails are not groomed. Whereas lifting one leg or both to kick the snow is not allowed in classic-style skiing, no such rule restrains free technique skiing.

Some athletes choose to cross the finish line by falling to the ground, not because of exhaustion, but simply to improve their time by a moment.

Copyright: Guide to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022– A Celebration on Ice and Snow

Photo/Xinhua