The Events
Nordic skiing encompasses the various types of skiing in which the toe of the ski boot is fixed to the binding in a manner that allows the heel to rise off the ski.
OLYMPIC EVENTS
CROSS-COUNTRY
SKI JUMPING
NORDIC COMBINED
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships host these sports, as the championship level in the winter of every odd-numbered year.
Events:
Cross-Country
In Cross-Country skiing there are a variety of start types, race lengths and techniques.
Start Types:
Mass Start
Everyone starts together, and the first person across the line wins.
Start Types:
Individual
Individual races are done in a time-trial format. Racers start with thirty second intervals and race against the clock. The person with the fastest time from start to finish is the winner.
Start Types:
Sprint
A 1.5km long race. qualification, quarters, semis and finals are all within the space of a few hours so it can be a brutal day if athletes make it to the final.
Athletes could race 1.5km as hard as possible four times in quick succession.
Techniques:
Classic
The old-school style of skiing where you keep your skis parallel and propel yourself forward using a double polling technique using only the upper body and arms with a dynamic, bounding motion.
Techniques:
Skate
The faster technique, where you push your skis out tot he side like an ice-skater.
Events:
Ski Jumping
Competitors aim to achieve the longest jump after descending from a specially designed ramp, reaching speeds of up to 65 mph and jumping 250 metres.
Ski Jumping:
Scoring
Ski Jumping is scored in relation to the construction point (K-Point) which serves as a target for jumpers to hit.
If the skier jumps over the K-Point (calculated hill jump distance) they get plus points bit if they jump short of the K-Point, points are removed.
Ski Jumping:
Scoring
Additional points can be awarded for positioning in the air and landing.
To score high points the skier must touch the ground in the Telemark landing style - with one foot front of the other with knees slightly bent, mimicking the style of Telemark Skiing.
Events:
Nordic Combined
A competition in which athletes both Cross-Country ski and Ski Jump.
