Cross-country skiing is the oldest form of skiing. It was born out of the need to move around snow-covered areas and was transformed into a sport at the end of the 19th century. Today we’re going to tell you all about cross-country skiing, its history, disciplines, rules and more!
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All about Cross-country Skiing: history
For many centuries, in the snow-covered northern regions, skis were essential for hunting and gathering firewood during the winter.
Due to the great distances between the small, isolated communities and the harsh winters, skiing has become an important way of maintaining social contact.
The Norwegian word “ski” derives from the Old Norse term “skid”, which means a broken piece of wood.
Several types of skis appeared simultaneously in different regions. One of the models had a horizontal tip;
The fastening system of modern skis is inspired by the “Fennoscandia” model from the 19th century;
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In eastern Siberia, skis were thin boards with four-hole fastenings, often covered with leather;
The Lapps used a stem-orifice attachment. Today’s cross-country skis evolved from the types used by the Lapps.
In the 18th century, Norwegian military units practiced skiing for sport (and prizes).
Skiing as a sport emerged in Norway in the middle of the 11th century, with the first record of competition dating back to 1842;
The famous Holmenkollen ski festival began in 1892, initially focusing on the Nordic combined event. However, in 1901, cross-country skiing was included in the festival.
The first men’s cross-country skiing competition took place at the inaugural edition of the Winter Olympics in Chamonix in 1924, while the women’s competition made its debut at the Oslo Games in 1952.
Traditionally, the sport has been dominated by the Nordic countries.
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All about Cross-country Skiing: disciplines and types of races
Cross-country skiing can be practiced in various formats:
- Interval start;
- Mass start;
- Relay;
- Skiathlon;
- Persecution;
- Cross Country Cross.
Interval start
The interval start in cross-country skiing is a competition format in which athletes start the race at set time intervals, rather than all starting simultaneously.
Start format: skiers start at regular intervals, which generally range from 15 to 30 seconds. This method allows each athlete to have a relatively congestion-free course, making it easier to assess individual performance.
Competition against the clock: as the athletes don’t start together, each competes mainly against the clock. The aim is to complete the course in the shortest time possible. Times are recorded from the moment of the individual start until the finish, and the winner is the athlete with the lowest total time.
Technique: the interval start can be carried out using both the classic technique and skating (freestyle). The choice of technique depends on the organization of the competition and the characteristics of the course.
Strategy: this format requires a different strategy compared to the mass start. Athletes need to manage their own pace and energy throughout the course, without relying on group strategies or marking nearby opponents. The focus is on maintaining a constant and efficient performance from start to finish.
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Mass start
The mass start in cross-country skiing is a competition format where all skiers start the race simultaneously;
Start format: all athletes start at the same time, forming a large group. This creates a more competitive and strategic race dynamic, similar to other long-distance races in sports such as cycling or the marathon.
Direct competition: unlike the interval start, where skiers compete mainly against the clock, in the mass start athletes compete directly against each other. The finishing order determines the winners, making the race exciting and tense until the very end.
Strategy: the mass start involves positioning strategies and group tactics. Skiers can benefit from following directly behind other competitors to reduce air resistance, a technique known as drafting. In addition, athletes need to be alert to changes of pace and attacks from other competitors.
Technique: the mass start can be carried out using either the classic technique or skating (freestyle), depending on the specific race. The choice of technique can influence race strategy, especially in terms of pace and positioning.
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Relay
The cross-country ski relay is a competition format where teams of skiers complete the race in turns, passing responsibility from one member to the next;
Start format: the competition begins with all the first skiers in the teams starting simultaneously.
Direct group competition: the competition is direct between the teams, with each team’s final position depending on the collective performance of its members. The relay combines individual endurance with team tactics, making the dynamics of the race intense and collaborative.
Strategy: the transition between skiers is a crucial moment in the race. Teams must ensure a quick and efficient exchange within the transition zone. Strategies include deciding the order of skiers to maximize performance on each section of the course.
Technique: the relay can involve both classic technique and skating (freestyle). Normally, the first two legs are raced in classic technique and the last two in freestyle, requiring teams to have skiers proficient in both techniques.
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Skiathlon
skiathlon in cross-country skiing is a competition format that combines two different techniques in a single race, requiring athletes to be skilled in both the classic and free skating styles;
Start format: the skiathlon begins with all skiers starting simultaneously, as in a mass start. The first half of the race is carried out using the classic technique.
Race distances: Skiathlon distances vary, but men’s competitions are often 30 km, while women’s are 15 km. Each half of the race is divided equally between classic technique and freestyle.
Direct competition: the competition is direct, with all skiers competing simultaneously. The changes in technique and the challenge of maintaining a consistent pace make the dynamics of the race intense and exciting. Positions can change dramatically during the transition, adding an element of unpredictability.
Strategy: skiathlon requires a careful strategy of energy and pace management, as skiers need to be proficient in both techniques and able to transition smoothly and quickly. The race tests athletes’ endurance, versatility and adaptability.
Technique: at the midpoint of the race, skiers enter a transition area where they quickly change skis and poles to the skating technique (free). This transition is a critical moment in the competition and must be done efficiently to minimize time loss.
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Persecution
The pursuit in cross-country skiing is a competition format where athletes start at different times, based on their qualifying times or positions in the previous race, and compete to catch up and overtake their opponents;
Start format: skiers start the race at staggered times, based on their qualifying times or results in previous races. The athlete who completes the race in the shortest time in the qualifying phase is the first to leave, followed by the others with a time interval corresponding to their previous performance.
Direct competition: the race is a direct competition, where the main objective is to catch up and overtake the opponents who have started ahead. The strategy involves both pace management and tactics for overtaking competitors.
The chase adds a strategic layer to the competition, with athletes often adjusting their pace to save energy while trying to catch up with the leaders.
The dynamics of the race are marked by constant changes of position and the need to make quick decisions about when to accelerate or maintain the pace.
Strategy: skiers need to plan their overtaking tactics and manage their forces for the critical moments of the race. The ability to choose the right moment to attack or closely follow competitors is crucial to success.
Technique: the pursuit race can be performed in both classic and skating (free) techniques. Depending on the structure of the competition, skiers can use a specific technique or combine both throughout the race.
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Cross-country Cross
Cross-country skiing, often referred to as “Cross-Country Cross” or “Ski Cross”, is a competition format that combines elements of cross-country skiing with characteristics of obstacle racing, promoting a more aggressive and exciting race dynamic.
Start format: in a cross race, athletes start together, often in groups of four to six competitors. This creates direct competition right from the start, with all participants fighting for positions on the course.
Direct competition: cross races are highly competitive and dynamic, with skiers competing directly against each other. Physical interaction between competitors is common, with maneuvers and overtaking being essential parts of the race.
The race is characterized by an intense struggle for position, with many moments of overtaking and fast maneuvers. Physical interaction between competitors can include direct contact, adding to the excitement and tension of the race.
Trail and obstacles: the cross course includes a series of obstacles, such as ramps, sharp turns, jumps and technical sections, designed to test skiers’ ability to maneuver and control speed. These obstacles add an element of unpredictability and difficulty to the course.
Strategy: athletes must combine speed with technical skill to navigate obstacles effectively. Strategy involves not only managing the pace, but also the ability to choose the best lines and moments to overtake opponents.
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Types of evidence
Distance (DI)
It’s a long-distance race, where athletes run circuits ranging from 2 to 50 km, facing climbs and descents.
Competitions can have the different starting formats mentioned above, with athletes competing against the clock or against each other.
Sprint (SP)
A short-distance race in which athletes run short circuits of up to 2 km.
Initially, they compete against the clock in the qualifying round, where only the 30 best times advance to the subsequent heats.
In the finals, the qualifiers compete in knockout heats of 6 athletes, where the top 2 from each heat and the 2 best times advance to the next stage until the winner is determined.
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All about Cross-country Skiing: rules and equipment
In cross-country skiing, athletes cover distances using two different techniques: classic and skating (also called freestyle);
In the classic technique, the skier glides across the snow with parallel skis, in a movement similar to walking.
In the skating style, which is more complex and faster than the classic style, the athlete pushes the skis backwards and outwards, forming an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
In official competitions, cross-country skiing techniques are not exclusive to any specific race or distance;
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For example, in the men’s 50km mass start at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, freestyle was used, while in PyeongChang, four years later, the FIS (International Ski Federation) opted for the classic technique for the same race. Some competitions, however, require a combination of the two techniques.
The rules vary from exam to exam.
In general, athletes may not obstruct the passage of a faster competitor, burn the start or suddenly change lanes, especially on hills;
If an athlete receives two punishments (yellow cards) in a single race, they will be disqualified from the event.
Necessary equipment
Like all snow sports, cross-country skiing requires specific equipment;
In addition to the skis, which can vary depending on the snow conditions, the terrain and the skier’s physical characteristics, it is necessary to use sticks (made of graphite and kevlar) and ski bindings.
The boots should be chosen according to the technique used. In classic style, the boots are generally more flexible to allow for greater ankle mobility, while in freestyle, it is preferable for the boots to offer lateral control and have rigid soles.
Sportswear should be lycra, well-fitting and lightweight, allowing the body to move and providing warmth.
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All about Cross-country Skiing: curiosities
- The competitions range from 2 km to 50 km.
- Jaqueline Mourão, the Brazilian athlete with the most participations in the Olympic Games, with a total of 8, competes in this discipline, as well as biathlon and BMX cycling.
- Manex Silva, Brazil’s representative in cross-country skiing at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games and the country’s flag-bearer at the Beijing 2022 Closing Ceremony, is from Rio Branco, Acre.
Did you like learning all about cross-country skiing? Find out about other disciplines you don’t know about yet!
