Cross-country skiing is one of the oldest forms of snow sports and one of the most physically demanding sports competitions in the world. The sport is most popular in the Nordic countries where it originated, but there are several international competitions, especially the Winter Olympics, where it is a fan favorite. The dimensions of an Olympic cross-country ski trail vary depending on the event, as the type of competition determines both the length and width of the course. Sprint competitions take place over distances not exceeding 1.8 km. Distance competitions take place on tracks of different lengths, as multiple or partial loops around the track can be used to complete the distance. Standard lengths for long distances are 2.5 km, 3.3 km, 3.75 km, 5 km, 7.5 km, 8.3 km and 10 km, with some even longer distances. Cross-country skiing is a discipline of skiing in which skiers move on snow by applying pressure down and out with their skis and poles. This is in contrast to downhill skiing, where skiers use gravity to descend a slope. Cross-country skiing was the first type of skiing to be developed, and it was originally conceived as a means of transportation rather than a sport or leisure. Cross-country skiing has its origins in the Nordic countries, where it is still the most popular today. The skiathlon is a test for athletes in both cross-country skiing techniques, classic and freestyle. He combines these two styles of racing into one brutal and coherent event. The men run 15 km in a row, the women 7.5 km consecutively and run the first half in classic technique and the second half in freestyle.
Cross-country skiing competitions with mass start determine a winner based on the order in which skiers cross the finish line; Competitions with all other types of tees compare the time on the course, with the shortest time being the winner. The FIS, the international governing body, awards points to finishers in sanctioned races, with the maximum number of points awarded to the winner and the number of finishers in lower positions decreasing. Regular season World Cup races award 100 points to the first and drop to one point for 30th place. World Cup Finals, mini-tours, World Cup stage races and Tour de Ski award 50 points to the winner and drop to one point for 30th place. There are several different competitions in cross-country skiing, which are divided into two disciplines: sprint and distance. The men`s and women`s competitions are held separately, and the distances for most events are slightly different between the sexes. The sprint competitions take the form of a short prologue in which skiers qualify for a quarter-final, a short sprint and a team sprint. All sprint competitions are less than 1.8 km. Distance competitions include a middle distance race (10-15 km), a skiathlon, a long distance race (30-50 km) and a four-person relay in which each skier covers 5-7.5 km.
Ski marathons are long-distance races of more than 40 km with thousands of participants. Several penalties can be imposed in cross-country skiing if a participant violates a rule, including disqualification, competition ban, time penalty, written reprimand, verbal reprimand or fine. Disqualifications will be granted for serious violations that clearly affect the outcome of the competition. Competition bans are imposed for infractions during sprint events. Time penalties are penalized if a racing driver starts too early or too late. Written and verbal reprimands will be provided to inform the participant of existing or possible violations that do not affect the outcome of the race. Fines are imposed for commercial and advertising offences and minor breaches of course discipline. In cross-country skiing events, disqualifications are applied if a skier commits a serious infraction that clearly affects the outcome of the competition by giving him an advantage or having negative consequences for an opponent. If a serious infringement is committed that does not affect competition, officials are asked to issue a written reprimand instead. Three violations result in automatic disqualification: participation in a competition under false pretenses; endanger the safety of persons or property or actually cause injury or damage; and climb more than one stage of a relay race. Disqualified participants will be marked as such in the list of results and their schedules will not be printed. Each trail on which a cross-country skiing competition takes place must first be approved by the FIS umbrella organization (certified in accordance with legal requirements).
One of the conditions that must be approved is a distance between four and nine meters wide. A conventional track should have two parallel grooves in the ideal ideal line. The routes must be of reasonable technical difficulty and offer participants approximately three sections of ascents of equal length with occasional steep climbs, hilly or hilly terrain with alternating climbs and descents and descents with occasional technical descents. The length of the routes varies from less than 1.8 km to more than 10 km. A single race can consist of several laps on the same track. In cross-country skiing, two types of race starts are used: the interval and the mass start. In an interval start, riders leave the starting gate every 30 consecutive seconds and ride against the clock. The second type of start, mass start, is the traditional “first to finish” style of racing. Four different types of starting methods are used in cross-country skiing competitions: interval, mass, tracking, and heat.
During an interval start, participants leave the start line individually, at regular intervals of 15 to 30 seconds. The winner will then be determined by the shortest time on the course. The group starts allow all participants to start the race at the same time by arranging the skiers on a starting grid according to their starting position. Pursuit starts allow skiers to leave the start line at intervals determined by the results of a stage that has already been completed. In the heats, participants are divided into groups, with all members of a group leaving the starting line at the same time. It is forbidden to skate inside a curve inside a track. Leaving the slope can shorten the distance within a curve, but the skier must continue the curve using conventional techniques, with the skis moving parallel and straight. Classic cross-country skiing (also known as kick-and-glide or diagonal) and freestyle (also known as skating style) are the most basic forms of two ski techniques used in cross-country skiing. Skiing techniques are not exclusive to an event or distance, and the FIS determines which technique is used for each event. For example, at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, the men`s 50km mass start was free, but in PyeongChang, the 50km is covered with a classic technique. In a cross-country skiing competition, an athlete`s skis, poles, boots and bindings are subject to regulations. In addition, all participants must carry numbers, GPS trackers or other means of identification provided at all times.
Skis must have the same basic shape as commercial skis, weigh at least 750 g per pair and not be shorter than the skier`s height minus 100 mm. Classic competitions set the maximum length of the pole at 83% of the height of the participant; That`s 100% of their height in free technique races. Boots and fasteners must have the same design as commercial models. No device shall contain a spring or other mechanical drive device. In cross-country skiing, there are two main techniques: classic and free. The classic technique, also known as the diagonal style, requires the skier to keep his skis inside two groomed slopes in the snow. The skis in the classic technical tests are prepared with grip wax so that skiers can move on their skis with downward and external power. The free technique, also known as skating, allows skiers to lift their skis off the slopes and push outward with the edges to move forward. Cross-country skiing events are organized according to one of two techniques, with the exception of skiathlon, where a segment of each technique is combined into a single competition.
The rules for changing routes apply to classic technical segments and competitions where more than one set of slopes is available on which a skier can place his skis. In a classic technical race, skiers must choose a certain number of routes and stay there. However, they can move to another track at any time, as long as they do not hinder an opponent`s progress. Excessive route changes, especially if perceived as a competitive advantage, can lead to a violation of the rules. These rules do not apply to competitions with free technique. Techniques allowed in classic skiing according to FIS rule 314.1.1 include: In curves: If there are tracks in a curve, riders with a classic technique must stay in these routes. If there is no track in a turn, riders are allowed to use a turning technique by pushing the inside of a ski to complete the turn. Sections of the course where turning technology is allowed are marked for runners.
In short, if it looks, looks or slides like a skate, it`s not legal in a classic race. 1. Participants must follow the marked route from start to finish in the correct order and pass through all checkpoints. Teams of two run nearly seven miles for men and five miles for women in the team sprint, with laps alternating for a total of six laps. Team sprint has a short Olympic history and made its debut at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.