Cross+Country+Skiing





Cross country skiing is one of the most popular types of skiing.

How to Cross Country Ski

They glide across the snow that is flat and slightly hilly. The movement that they do is like jogging on skis. The skier leans slightly forward while moving one ski forward. Skiers race against the clock. The winner is the skier with the lowest time. Click on the link below to watch a video of Cross Country Skiing Equipment, techniques and more! [] Facts and the history of Cross Country Skiing Vikings were the worlds first cross country skiers.

The most medals won by any athletes at the Olympic winter games is 12 by skier Bjorn Dählie of Norway.

· In Sapporo in 1972, Norway's Magne Myrmo became the last athlete to win a cross-country skiing event using all-wooden skis. · In 1992, Vegard Ulvang and Bjorn Daehlie of Norway dominated the Nordic skiing men's cross-country races with three gold medals each. · At Albertville in 1992, women's cross-country skier Raisa Smetanina of the Soviet Union won her 10th medal just before her 40th birthday to become the most successful, and oldest, Winter Olympic competitor, having participated in five Winter Games. · In Nagano in 1998 in the women's cross-country event, Russian Larissa Lazutina was the star taking home five medals (four in individual events) including two gold. · At Lilehammer in 1994, Lyubov Yegorova of Russia won three cross-country skiing gold medals to match the Soviet speed skater Lydia Skoblikova's Olympic record of six gold medals.

** First Competion **

Norwegian army units were skiing for sport (and prizes) in the 18th century. Skiing for sport appeared in Norway in the mid 19th century; the first race on record is 1842.The famous Holmenkollen ski festival started in 1892, with the focus initially on the Nordic combined event. However in 1901, a separate cross country race was added to the festival.


 * Early Cross Country Skiing **

Different types of skis emerged at various regions at about the same time. One type had a horizontal toe-piece binding. The modern ski bindings are based on the Fennoscandian model of the 19th century. The East Siberian type was a thin board with a vertical four-hole binding. Sometimes it was covered with fur. The Lapps used a horizontal stem-hole binding. Present-day cross country skis were developed from the type used by the Lapps.