Olympic skiing distances for women. Skiathlon - what is it? What are the rules of skiathlon? Route requirements

This is a ski race over a certain distance on a specially prepared track. They belong to cyclic sports.

The first speed skiing competitions took place in Norway in 1767. Then similar competitions began to be held in Sweden and Finland. Later, the passion for racing arose in Central Europe, and by the beginning of the 20th century, national ski racing clubs had already appeared in many European countries. In 1924, the International Ski Federation (FIS) was created.

All over the world, skiing has become one of the most popular winter sports. There is no sport that is more democratic, accessible, so closely connected with nature and so beneficial for humans. Ski races are of the following types:

Time trial competitions

In a time trial, athletes start at a certain interval in a certain sequence. Typically the interval is 30 seconds. The sequence is determined by the draw or the current position of the athletes in the ranking (the strongest start last). Pair time trials are possible. The final result of the athlete is calculated using the formula “finish time” minus “start time”.

Mass start competitions

In a mass start, all athletes start at the same time. At the same time, athletes with the best ratings take the best places at the start. The final result coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.

Pursuit racing

Pursuit races are combined competitions consisting of several stages. In this case, the starting position of athletes at all stages (except the first) is determined based on the results of previous stages. As a rule, in cross-country skiing, the pursuit takes place in two stages, one of which athletes run in the classic style, and the other in the free style. Pursuit races are divided into pursuit races with a break, pursuit races without a break (duathlon).

Relay races

Teams consisting of four athletes (less often three) compete in relay races. Ski relay races consist of four stages (less often three), of which the 1st and 2nd stages are run in the classical style, and the 3rd and 4th stages are run in the free style. The relay begins with a mass start, with the most advantageous places at the start being determined by drawing lots or being given to the teams that took the highest places in previous similar competitions. The relay is transferred by touching the palm of any part of the body of the starting athlete of his team, while both athletes are in the relay transfer zone. The final result of the relay team is calculated using the formula “finishing time of the last team member” minus “starting time of the first team member.”

Individual Sprint

Individual sprint competitions begin with qualifications, which are organized in a time trial format. After qualifying, the selected athletes compete in the sprint finals, which are held in the form of races of different formats with a mass start. The number of athletes selected for the final races does not exceed 30. First, the quarter-finals are held, then the semi-finals and finally the A final. The table of final results of the individual sprint is formed in the following order: results of the final A, semi-final participants, quarter-final participants, unqualified participants.

Team sprint

The team sprint is conducted as a relay race with teams consisting of two athletes who take turns replacing each other, running 3-6 laps of the track each. If the number of entered teams is sufficiently large, two semi-finals are held, from which an equal number of the best teams are selected for the final. The team sprint begins with a mass start. The final result of the team sprint is calculated according to the relay rules.

History of domestic cross-country skiing

In Russia, the first organization leading the development of skiing, the Moscow Ski Club, appeared on December 29, 1895 on the territory of the current Young Pioneers Stadium.
12 athletes took part in the first national cross-country skiing championship, which took place on February 7, 1910. The winner of the championship and the title of the country's first skier was Pavel Bychkov.
The country's women's championship was first played in 1921; Natalya Kuznetsova won at a distance of 3 km.

The strongest Russian skiers, national champions Pavel Bychkov and Alexander Nemukhin first participated in international competitions in 1913 in Sweden at the Northern Games. Skiers competed at three distances - 30, 60 and 90 km. and performed unsuccessfully, but learned many useful lessons on skiing techniques, ski lubrication, and equipment design. Before the start of the First World War, 5 Russian championships were held.

By the number of victories at the national championships 1910-1954. The highest rating is occupied by Zoya Bolotova, an eighteen-time champion. Among the men, Dmitry Vasiliev was the strongest - 16 victories, he is the first holder of the title “Honored Master of Sports”.

Official competitions are held at distances ranging from 800 m to 70 km. Cross-country skiing has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1924.

The first competition in speed skiing took place on the territory of modern Norway in 1767. Then the Swedes and Finns followed the example of the Norwegians, and later the passion for racing arose in Central Europe. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, national ski clubs appeared in many countries. In 1924, the International Ski Federation (FIS) was created. The FIS had 98 national federations.

Technique

The main styles of skiing are “classic style” and “free (skating) style.”

Classic style

Initially, the “classical style” includes those types of movement in which the skier travels almost the entire distance along a pre-prepared ski track, consisting of two parallel tracks. “Classical” ski moves are divided according to the method of pushing off with poles into alternating and simultaneous. Based on the number of steps in one cycle, simultaneous one-step, alternately two-step and stepless moves are distinguished. The most common are alternating two-step stroke (used on uphill sections and gentle slopes, and with very good gliding - on slopes of medium steepness (up to 5°) and simultaneous single-step stroke (used on flat areas, on gentle slopes with good gliding, as well as on slopes with satisfactory sliding).

Free style

“Free style” implies that the skier is free to choose the method of movement along the distance, but since the “classic” move is inferior in speed to the “skate” move, “free style” is, in fact, synonymous with “skating move". Skating has been widely used since 1981, when Finnish skier Pauli Siitonen, then in his 40s, first used it in competition - in a 55 km race - and won. The most common are the simultaneous two-step skating stroke (used both on flat areas and on slopes of small and medium steepness) and the simultaneous one-step skating stroke (used during starting acceleration, on any plains and flat sections of the distance, as well as on slopes up to 10-13° ).

Overcoming climbs

The climbs can be overcome either by one of the types of skating, or by the following methods: a sliding step (on climbs with a steepness of 5° to 10°), a walking step (from 10° to 15°), a running step (15° and more), a semi -herringbone”, “herringbone”, “ladder” (not used in competitions), in some cases, when the rise is quite sharp, the “herringbone” is used.

Descent

When descending, athletes use different types of stances that differ in the angle of bend of the knees. In a high stance, this angle is 140-160°; for a medium stance, the knee bend angle is 120-140° (120-130° for the version of this stance, the so-called “rest” stance), both are used on uneven slopes. And on smooth descents, the fastest, lowest stance is used, for which the knee bend angle is less than 120°.

Braking

The most common type of braking is “plow”. When descending obliquely, stop braking is often used. To prevent injuries when unexpected obstacles arise on the track, it is sometimes necessary to use fall braking, for which a unique, safest technique has also been developed.

Turn

The step turn is very common in competitions, while the plow turn is often used for tight turns. Sometimes methods such as a stop turn, a turn from a stop and a turn on parallel skis are used.

Main types of cross-country skiing

Time trial competitions
Competitions with general start (mass start)
Pursuit races (skiathlon, Gundersen system)
Individual Sprint
Team sprint

Time trial competitions

In a time trial, athletes start at a certain interval in a certain sequence. As a rule, the interval is 30 s (less often - 15 s or 1 min). The sequence is determined by the draw or the athlete’s current position in the ranking (the strongest start last). Pair time trials are possible. The final result of the athlete is calculated using the formula “finish time” minus “start time”.

Mass start competition

In a mass start, all athletes start at the same time. At the same time, athletes with the best ratings occupy the most advantageous places at the start. The final result coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.

Pursuit racing

Pursuit races (pursuit, English pursuit) are combined competitions consisting of several stages. In this case, the starting position of athletes at all stages (except the first) is determined based on the results of previous stages. As a rule, in cross-country skiing the pursuit takes place in two stages, one of which athletes run in the classical style, and the other in the skating style.

Pursuit races with a break are held over two days, less often - with an interval of several hours. The first race usually takes place with a time trial. Based on its final results, the gap from the leader for each participant is determined. The second race is run with a handicap equal to this gap. The winner of the first race starts first. The final result of the pursuit race coincides with the finishing time of the second race.

Pursuit race without a break (skiathlon , until June 2011 - duathlon, later officially renamed by the FIS Ski Committee) begins with a general start. After covering the first half of the distance with one style, athletes change skis in a specially equipped area and immediately overcome the second half of the distance with a different style. The final result of the pursuit race without a break coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.

Relay races

Teams consisting of four athletes (less often three) compete in relay races. Ski relay races consist of four stages (less often - three). Relay races can be held in one style (all participants run their stages in the classical or free style) or in two styles (participants run stages 1 and 2 in the classic style, and stages 3 and 4 in the free style). The relay begins with a mass start, with the most advantageous places at the start determined by a draw, or they are given to the teams that took the highest places in previous similar competitions. The relay is transferred by touching the palm of any part of the body of the starting athlete of his team, while both athletes are in the relay transfer zone. The final result of a relay team is calculated using the formula “finishing time of the last team member” minus “starting time of the first team member” (usually equal to zero).

Individual Sprint

Individual sprint competitions begin with a qualification (prologue), which is organized in a time trial format. After qualifying, selected athletes compete in the sprint finals, which are held in the form of races of different formats with a mass start of four people (varies). The number of athletes selected for the final races does not exceed 30. First, the quarter-finals are held, then the semi-finals and finally the A final. The table of final results of the individual sprint is formed in the following order: results of the final A, semi-final participants, quarter-final participants, unqualified participants.

Team sprint

Ski racing over a certain distance on a specially prepared track among persons of a certain category (age, gender, etc.). All over the world, skiing has become one of the most popular winter sports. There is no sport that is more democratic, accessible, so closely connected with nature and so beneficial for humans. They belong to cyclic sports.

The first skis appeared among ancient hunters in the northern countries. The appearance of skis was due to man's need to hunt for food in winter and move across snow-covered terrain. Skis appeared everywhere where people lived in snowy winter conditions. The first skis were walking skis. One of the latest finds (A.M. Miklyaev, 1982) was discovered on the territory of the Pskov region. According to experts, this ski is one of the oldest - made about 4,300 years ago. The first written documents about the use of sliding skis date back to the 6th-7th centuries. n. e. Gothic monk Jordanes in 552, Greek historians Jordan in the 6th century, Abel the Deacon in 770. describe the use of skis by Laplanders and Finns in everyday life and hunting. At the end of the 7th century. The historian Verefrid gave a detailed description of skis and their use by the peoples of the North in hunting animals. King of Norway Olaf Trugvasson according to records 925. represented as a good skier. In 960 skis are mentioned as a training accessory for Norwegian court dignitaries. The first use of the word “skis” in Rus' dates back to the 12th century. Metropolitan Nikifor, in a letter to the Kyiv prince Vladimir Monomakh, uses the word “skis”.

The folk epics of the Nordic countries often represented gods on skis, which was considered one of the main advantages, for example, the Norwegian god of skiing and hunting Ull. The forced need of primitive man to invent and use skis in winter to obtain food later became the basis for their widespread development.

In addition to domestic needs and hunting, skis began to be used as a means of communication and in military affairs. In the Nikon Chronicle for 1444. describes the successful campaign of the Moscow ski army to defend Ryazan from the Tatar prince Mustafa from the Golden Horde. Skis were used in the armies of Peter I and Catherine II. The roots of folk fun, amusements, games, and entertainment on skis, including with elements of competitions, go back to the hoary antiquity of centuries.

The first speed skiing competition took place in Norway in 1767. Then the Swedes and Finns followed the example of the Norwegians, and later the passion for racing arose in Central Europe. At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. National ski clubs have appeared in many countries. In 1924, the International Ski Federation (FIS) was created. In 2000 the FIS had 98 national federations. Cross-country skiing has been included in the Winter Olympics program since 1924.

Technique

The main styles of skiing are “classic style” and “free style”.
Classic style. The original “classical style” includes those types of movement in which the skier travels almost the entire distance along a pre-prepared ski track, consisting of two parallel tracks. “Classical” ski moves are divided according to the method of pushing off with poles into alternating and simultaneous. Based on the number of steps in one cycle, simultaneous one-step, alternately two-step and stepless moves are distinguished. The most common are alternating two-step stroke (used on uphill sections and gentle slopes, and with very good gliding - on slopes of medium steepness (up to 5°)) and simultaneous single-step stroke (used on flat areas, on gentle slopes with good gliding, as well as on slopes with satisfactory glide).
Free style. “Free style” implies that the skier is free to choose the method of movement along the distance, but since the “classic” stroke is inferior in speed to the “skating” stroke, “free style” is, in fact, synonymous with “skating”. Skating has been widely used since 1981, when Finnish skier Pauli Siitonen, then over 40, first used it in competition (in a 55 km race) and won. The most common are the simultaneous two-step skating stroke (used both on flat areas and on slopes of small and medium steepness) and the simultaneous one-step skating stroke (used during starting acceleration, on any plains and flat sections of the distance, as well as on slopes up to 10-12° ).
Overcoming climbs. The climbs can be overcome either by one of the types of skating, or by the following methods: a sliding step (on climbs with a steepness of 5° to 10°), a walking step (from 10° to 15°), a running step (15° or more), a half-herringbone ", "herringbone", "ladder" (not used in competitions), in some cases, when the rise is quite sharp, the "herringbone" is used.
Descent. When descending, athletes use different types of stances that differ in the angle of bend of the knees. In a high stance, this angle is 140-160°; for a medium stance, the knee bend angle is 120-140° (120-130° for the version of this stance, the so-called “rest” stance), both are used on uneven slopes. And on smooth descents, the fastest, lowest stance is used, for which the knee bend angle is less than 120°.
Braking. The most common type of braking is “plow”. At the same time, when descending obliquely, stop braking is often used. To prevent injuries when unexpected obstacles arise on the track, it is sometimes necessary to use fall braking, but not in a sitting position, but sideways, for which we have also developed our own, safest, technique.
Turn. The step turn is very common in competitions, while the plow turn is often used for tight turns. Sometimes methods such as a stop turn, a turn from a stop and a turn on parallel skis are used.

Main types of cross-country skiing

Time trial competitions. In a time trial, athletes start at a certain interval in a certain sequence. As a rule, the interval is 30 s (less often - 15 s or 1 min). The sequence is determined by a draw or the athlete’s current position in the ranking (the strongest start last). Pair time trials are possible. The final result of the athlete is calculated using the formula “finish time” minus “start time”.
Competitions with a general start (mass start). In a mass start, all athletes start at the same time. At the same time, athletes with the best ratings occupy the most advantageous places at the start. The final result coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.
Pursuit races (Pursuit, Gundersen system). Pursuit races (pursuit) are combined competitions consisting of several stages. In this case, the starting position of athletes at all stages (except the first) is determined based on the results of previous stages. As a rule, in cross-country skiing, the pursuit takes place in two stages, one of which athletes run in the classic style, and the other in the free style. Pursuit races with a break are held over two days, less often - with an interval of several hours. The first race usually takes place with a time trial. Based on its final results, the gap from the leader for each participant is determined. The second race is held with a handicap equal to this gap. The winner of the first race starts first. The final result of the pursuit race coincides with the finishing time of the second race. A pursuit race without a break (duathlon) begins with a general start. After covering the first half of the distance with one style, athletes change skis in a specially equipped area and immediately overcome the second half of the distance with a different style. The final result of the pursuit race without a break coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.
Relay races. Teams consisting of four athletes (less often three) compete in relay races. Ski relay races consist of four stages (less often three), of which the 1st and 2nd stages are run in the classical style, and the 3rd and 4th stages are run in the free style. The relay begins with a mass start, with the most advantageous places at the start determined by a draw, or they are given to the teams that took the highest places in previous similar competitions. The relay is transferred by touching the palm of any part of the body of the starting athlete of his team, while both athletes are in the relay transfer zone. The final result of a relay team is calculated using the formula “finishing time of the last team member” minus “starting time of the first team member” (usually equal to zero).
Individual sprint. Individual sprint competitions begin with a qualification (prologue), which is organized in a time trial format. After qualification, the selected athletes compete in the sprint finals, which take place in the form of races of different formats with a mass start, the mass start consists of four people (varies). The number of athletes selected for the final races does not exceed 30. First, the quarter-finals are held, then the semi-finals and finally the A final. The table of final results of the individual sprint is formed in the following order: results of the final A, semi-final participants, quarter-final participants, unqualified participants.
Team sprint. The team sprint is conducted as a relay race with teams consisting of two athletes who take turns replacing each other, running 3-6 laps of the track each. If the number of entered teams is sufficiently large, two semi-finals are held, from which an equal number of the best teams are selected for the final. The team sprint begins with a mass start. The final result of the team sprint is calculated according to the relay rules.

Cross-country skiing is one of six sports (also figure skating, ski jumping, hockey, Nordic combined and speed skating) that have been included in the program of all Winter Olympic Games. Women's competitions have been held at the Games since 1952.

The main styles of skiing are classic and free. The classic style includes those types of movement in which the athlete passes almost the entire distance along a pre-prepared ski track, consisting of two parallel lines. Freestyle is essentially synonymous with skating.

In Vancouver, 12 sets of medals will be competed - six each for men and women - in the following disciplines: individual sprint, team sprint, individual race, duathlon (pursuit), mass start and relay race.

At the 2006 Games in Turin, the women's winners were Estonian Kristina Smigun (duathlon, individual race), Canadian Chandra Crawford (individual sprint), Slovakian Katerina Neumanova (mass start), the Swedish team (team sprint) and the Russian team (relay). Among the men, the victory was celebrated by Russian Evgeny Dementyev (duathlon), Estonian Anders Veerpalu (individual race), Swede Bjorn Lind (individual sprint), Italian Giorgio Di Centa (mass start), the Swedish team (team sprint) and the Italian team (relay).

In addition to two gold medals, the Russian team won two silvers in Turin (Yulia Chepalova in the mass start, Evgeny Dementyev in the mass start) and three bronzes (Evgenia Medvedeva in the duathlon, Alena Sidko in the individual sprint, Ivan Alypov and Vasily Rochev in the team sprint) .

At the 2010 Games in Vancouver, Russia received the maximum possible representation - 20 participants (maximum 12 of the same gender).

Women's sprint. Ekaterina Chuikova, Elena Turysheva, Evgenia Shapovalova.
Women, distance. Irina Khazova, Natalya Korosteleva, Evgenia Medvedeva, Olga Zavyalova, Olga Rocheva, Olga Shchuchkina.
Men's sprint. Nikita Kryukov, Nikolay Morilov, Alexey Petukhov, Alexander Panzhinsky, Mikhail Devyatyarov.
Men, distance. Alexander Legkov, Maxim Vylegzhanin, Petr Sedov, Nikolai Pankratov, Sergei Novikov, Sergei Shiryaev.

Individual race

It takes place over a distance of 10 km for women and 15 km for men. Athletes start one by one with an interval of 30 seconds. The one who shows the best time wins.

Mass start

Athletes start the race at the same time, with skiers with a higher rating taking more advantageous places at the start - on the first line. The distance is 30 km for women and 50 km for men. The first one to cross the finish line wins. In a mass start, the winner often has to be determined by a photo finish.

Duathlon (pursuit)

Athletes start at the same time (skiers with a higher rating take more advantageous places at the start). They cover the first part of the distance in the classic style, after which they change skis and run freestyle. The distance for women is 15 km (7.5 km classic style, 7.5 km free), for men 30 km (15 km classic style, 15 km free). The first one to cross the finish line wins.

Individual Sprint

First there is a qualifying round, during which athletes, starting at 15-second intervals, run one lap (1.5 km for women and men). The top 30 skiers advance to the quarterfinals. Starting from this stage, skiers set off for the distance from a common start - six people per race. 12 athletes advance to the semifinals - the best two from each quarter-final six, as well as the two skiers from all the remaining skiers who showed the best time. The selection for final A is carried out in a similar way, where the six best skiers get to. They play for medals among themselves. The first one to cross the finish line wins. In addition, Final B is held, in which places from 6th to 12th are played out.

Team sprint

A team consists of two athletes. During the race, they take turns replacing each other after each lap, for a total of six laps (three for each team member). One lap - 1.5 km . When passing the baton, the skier must touch his teammate without interfering with the passing of the baton from competitors. First, two semi-finals are held, following which the top five teams advance to the final. The team whose representative crosses the finish line first wins.

Relay race

The race takes place over a distance of 20 km for women (four laps of 5 km) and 40 km for men (four laps of 10 km). Teams consist of four people, each of whom runs one stage. In this case, the first and second stages must be completed in the classical style, and the third and fourth - free. All teams start at the same time. When passing the baton, the skier must touch his teammate without interfering with the passing of the baton from competitors. The team whose representative crosses the finish line first wins.

Technique

The main styles of skiing are “classic style” and “free style”.

Classic style

The original “classical style” includes those types of movement in which the skier travels almost the entire distance along a pre-prepared ski track, consisting of two parallel tracks. “Classical” ski moves are divided according to the method of pushing off with poles into alternating and simultaneous. Based on the number of steps in one cycle, simultaneous one-step, alternately two-step and stepless moves are distinguished. The most common are the alternating two-step stroke (used on rising areas and gentle slopes, and with very good gliding - on slopes of medium steepness (up to 5°)) and simultaneous single-step stroke (used on flat areas, on gentle slopes with good gliding, as well as on slopes with satisfactory glide).

Free style

“Free style” implies that the skier is free to choose the method of movement along the distance, but since the “classic” move is inferior in speed to the “skate” move, “free style” is, in fact, synonymous with “skating move". Skating has been widely used since 1981, when Finnish skier Pauli Siitonen, then over 40, first used it in competition (in a 55 km race) and won. The most common are the simultaneous two-step skating stroke (used both on flat areas and on slopes of small and medium steepness) and the simultaneous one-step skating stroke (used during starting acceleration, on any plains and flat sections of the distance, as well as on slopes up to 10-12° ).

Overcoming climbs

The climbs can be overcome either by one of the types of skating, or by the following methods: a sliding step (on climbs with a steepness of 5° to 10°), a walking step (from 10° to 15°), a running step (15° and more), a half-herringbone ", "herringbone", "ladder" (not used in competitions), in some cases, when the rise is quite sharp, the "herringbone" is used.

Descent

Braking

The most common type of braking is “plow”. At the same time, when descending obliquely, stop braking is often used. To prevent injuries when unexpected obstacles arise on the track, it is sometimes necessary to use fall braking, but not in a sitting position, but sideways, for which we have also developed our own, safest, technique.

Turn

The step turn is very common in competitions, while the plow turn is often used for tight turns. Sometimes methods such as a stop turn, a turn from a stop and a turn on parallel skis are used.

Main types of cross-country skiing

Time trial competitions
Competitions with general start (mass start)
Pursuit races (skiathlon, Gundersen system)
Individual Sprint
Team sprint

Time trial competitions

Mass start competition

Pursuit racing

Pursuit racing pursuit- pursuit) are combined competitions consisting of several stages. In this case, the starting position of athletes at all stages (except the first) is determined based on the results of previous stages. As a rule, in cross-country skiing, the pursuit takes place in two stages, one of which athletes run in the classic style, and the other in the free style.

Pursuit race without a break (duathlon; In June 2011, the FIS Ski Committee officially renamed “duathlon” to "skiathlon") begins with a general start. After covering the first half of the distance with one style, athletes change skis in a specially equipped area and immediately overcome the second half of the distance with a different style. The final result of the pursuit race without a break coincides with the athlete’s finishing time.

Relay races

Individual Sprint

Individual sprint competitions begin with a qualification (prologue), which is organized in a time trial format. After qualification, the selected athletes compete in the sprint finals, which take place in the form of races of different formats with a mass start, the mass start consists of four people (varies). The number of athletes selected for the final races does not exceed 30. First, the quarter-finals are held, then the semi-finals and finally the A final. The table of final results of the individual sprint is formed in the following order: results of the final A, semi-final participants, quarter-final participants, unqualified participants.

Team sprint

Distance length

At official competitions, the length of the distance ranges from 800 m to 50 km. In this case, one distance can consist of several circles (for entertainment).

Literature

Skiing: Textbook. for institutes and technical physical cult / Ed. V. D. Evstratova, B. I. Sergeeva, G. B. Chukardina. - M.: Physical culture and sport, 1989. - 319 p.

Educational film

Skiing technique.. Soyuzsportfilm. 1984. 23 minutes.

Olympic skiing distances for women. Skiathlon - what is it? What are the rules of skiathlon? Route requirements

Technique

Classic style

Free style

Overcoming climbs

Descent

Braking

Turn

Main types of cross-country skiing

Time trial competitions

Mass start competition

Pursuit racing

Relay races

Individual Sprint

Team sprint

Technique

Classic style

Free style

Overcoming climbs

Descent

Braking

Turn

Main types of cross-country skiing

Time trial competitions

Mass start competition

Pursuit racing

Relay races

Individual Sprint

Team sprint

Distance length

Literature

Educational film

Links

Notes

see also