Paintings thought to be at least 6000 years old, discovered in Russia in the 1930s, showed a hunter alongside some reindeer. The hunter is very definitely wearing skis, making it clear that the idea of using two wooden slates to travel quickly on snow has been central to survival in cold climates for centuries. By the year 1500, the entire Swedish Army was fully equipped with skis. The Norwegian Army held cross-country ski competitions as early as 1767. The first civilian event took place in Tromso, located in the far north of Norway, in 1843. Cross Country Skiers competed at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, in 1924, in 18km and 50km races for men. Women Cross Country Skiers made their debut at the 1952 Olympic Winter Games in Oslo. The Cross Country skiing technique known as skating or free technique became a separate Olympic competitive discipline at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics.
How it works.
Racers use two basic techniques in cross-country: Classical, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine groomed tracks in the snow, and Free technique (Skating) where skiers propel themselves in a manner similar to speed skating, pushing off with the edge if their skis.
Biathlon.
Biathlon combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting. It didn't start as a sport, but as way for the northern European hunters, as early as 2000 BC, to put food on the table. Beginning in the mid-16th century, Scandinavian countries used troops on skis to defend against their enemies. The word "biathlon" comes from the Greek word for "two tests". Today, the biathlon consists of ten separate events that alternate cross-country skiing with target shooting. The object is to complete the course in the least amount of time, hitting as many targets as possible to avoid time penalties. The first World Championships were held in 1958 at Saalfedlden, Austria. the biathlon became an Olympic sport (for men only) in 1960 and debuted at Squaw Valley in 1962. Women's biathlon joined the Olympic Games 30 years later, in 1992 at Albertville.
The skiing portion of the biathlon requires fast and physically demanding cross country racing, while the rifle shooting requires accuracy and control - not easy when your heart is racing and your chest is heaving. When the athletes ski into the shooting range, they must put down their ski poles and take five shots at a metal target 50 meters away. Each target has five plates, fixed in a row, which the athlete must hit the middle (bull's eye) of. The bull's eye size changes depending on whether the athlete is shooting in a prone or standing position. Prone, the bull's eye is the size of a golf ball (45mm); Standing, it's the size of a large grapefruit (115mm). A top athlete usually takes 20 to 25 seconds to aim and shoot five bullets. Missing a target plate can be costly: depending on the event, a missed shot means either one minute of added time or having to ski a 150 meter penalty loop.
How it works.
Racers use two basic techniques in cross-country: Classical, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine groomed tracks in the snow, and Free technique (Skating) where skiers propel themselves in a manner similar to speed skating, pushing off with the edge if their skis.
Biathlon.
Biathlon combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting. It didn't start as a sport, but as way for the northern European hunters, as early as 2000 BC, to put food on the table. Beginning in the mid-16th century, Scandinavian countries used troops on skis to defend against their enemies. The word "biathlon" comes from the Greek word for "two tests". Today, the biathlon consists of ten separate events that alternate cross-country skiing with target shooting. The object is to complete the course in the least amount of time, hitting as many targets as possible to avoid time penalties. The first World Championships were held in 1958 at Saalfedlden, Austria. the biathlon became an Olympic sport (for men only) in 1960 and debuted at Squaw Valley in 1962. Women's biathlon joined the Olympic Games 30 years later, in 1992 at Albertville.
The skiing portion of the biathlon requires fast and physically demanding cross country racing, while the rifle shooting requires accuracy and control - not easy when your heart is racing and your chest is heaving. When the athletes ski into the shooting range, they must put down their ski poles and take five shots at a metal target 50 meters away. Each target has five plates, fixed in a row, which the athlete must hit the middle (bull's eye) of. The bull's eye size changes depending on whether the athlete is shooting in a prone or standing position. Prone, the bull's eye is the size of a golf ball (45mm); Standing, it's the size of a large grapefruit (115mm). A top athlete usually takes 20 to 25 seconds to aim and shoot five bullets. Missing a target plate can be costly: depending on the event, a missed shot means either one minute of added time or having to ski a 150 meter penalty loop.
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