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About Olympic Biathlon and Cross-country Skiing

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There are two styles of cross-country skiing - classical (straight-striding technique) and freestyle (unrestricted skating-like motion).

Cross-country consists of sprint (contested over several rounds rather than a single race) and combined pursuit events.

Men compete in the 1.5 kilometre sprint, 15km and 50km classic, 30km freestyle and the combined pursuit (10km classical and 10km freestyle).

Women take part in the 1.5km sprint, 10km and 30km classical, 15km freestyle and the combined pursuit (5km classical and 5km freestyle).

The biathlon involves cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. There are eight categories - men's and women's sprint, pursuit, individual and relay.

Competitors can ski in any style but must not only complete the distance (from 7.5km to 20km) but also hit five targets with five bullets.

For each target missed in the sprint, pursuit and relay events, athletes ski a lap around a 150-metre penalty loop.

In the individual event, competitors stop four times at the firing range and must hit all five targets with five bullets. For each target missed, one minute is added to their total time.

In the relay, four-person teams ski 7.5km each. Each team member has two firing sequences and is allowed three extra bullets (for a total of eight) to hit five targets.

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Cross-country Skiing

There are two techniques in cross-country skiing: classical and freestyle.

In classical races, skiers use the traditional straight-striding technique (called a diagonal stride), which is similar to the action used on a cross-country exercise machine.

The action is fairly rigid and skiers do not deviate from distinct parallel tracks.

The freestyle technique is faster and more modern - it has only been used in the Olympics since 1988. This style is less restrictive - athletes do not keep their skis within narrow tracks but instead push off with both legs in a motion that resembles skating.

The biathlon requires the additional discipline of marksmanship.

While skiing, competitors' heart-rates will often exceed 180bpm but they must then try to keep a steady arm and eye as they aim to hit tiny targets up to 50m away in the shooting session.

Supreme fitness, along with the ability to maintain concentration and calm focus, are imperative.

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Cross-country Skiing

Cross-country skis are considerably lighter and narrower than alpine skis and have long, curved tips and an arch at the centre of the ski.

Freestyle skis are shorter and stiffer than classical skis and their tips curve more.

In both, the bindings secure only the toe of the boot to the ski, allowing the skier to lift the back of the foot.

Cross-country boots are similar to trainers while freestyle boots are more rigid with greater ankle support.

Both types of pole have baskets at the bottom, which provide a solid base for pushing off.

But classical poles are shorter, reaching the armpit whereas the more rigid freestyle poles are longer, extending to the head.

Wax is an essential part of the cross-country skier's toolbox. There are two types: glide wax and kick wax (also known as grip wax).

Glide wax decreases the friction between the skis and the snow while kick wax provides greater grip by increasing friction.

For freestyle technique, glide wax is applied to the entire underside of the skis.

For classical, glide wax is only applied to the front and back tips of the skis while kick wax is used in the middle.

About Olympic Biathlon and Cross-country Skiing

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Cross-country Skiing

Cross-country Skiing

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