An endurance winter Olympic sport in which racers traverse a marked snow course using classic or skating technique.
Origin and rules
Cross-country skiing originated as transport in the snowy regions of Scandinavia thousands of years ago. The first organised race took place in Norway in 1843. Skiers cover distances on rolling terrain, climbing, descending, and gliding on the flats.
How it plays
Athletes use either classic technique, with skis parallel in tracks, or skating, with a V-shape push. Distances range from sprints under 1.5 kilometres to 50-kilometre marathons. Mass starts, individual time trials, and relays are common formats.
Competition
The FIS Cross-Country World Cup, the Nordic Ski World Championships, and the Winter Olympics anchor the calendar. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Germany dominate. Cross-country skiing has been Olympic since the first Winter Games in 1924.
Find more sports by letter
Cross-country Skiing starts with C and ends with G. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Cross-country Skiing":