Everything you need to know about skiathlon

Skiathlon is a mass cross-country race with elements of pursuit. It used to be known as the paciut and duathlon, but in 2011 the sports committee decided to rename the sport. What peculiarities does this sport have?

Rules

Like other sports, skiathlon has its own unique rules. Only one representative of a team, city or country participates in one race. The goal is to overtake everyone else during the ride. The distance of the way is divided into two equal intervals, and having finished one part of the race, the player changes skis and continues on his way in a different style.

Skiathlon races come in four lengths: 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 kilometers. The race is divided into men’s and women’s skiathlon. The rules are the same for all, except that the women’s races are shorter distances, but that doesn’t mean they are easier.

Men participate in two 15 km laps of 3.75 km each. Their total distance is 30 km. Women run 7.5 kilometers in 2.5 kilometer circles, giving them a total distance of 15 kilometers. The course for the skiers in this race is usually laid out, so that it passes through the stadium several times.

In the skiathlon, you move on a rolled track, prepared in advance. The race requires a lot of strength in the arms, because the main emphasis is on them. Feet in a rut do not create the speed needed for acceleration. The skier’s victory depends not only on his or her physical abilities, but also on the frequency of steps, the frequency of pushing the sticks and the terrain in general.

Technique

The races in each stage of the competition are carried out in different ways of moving on skis.

Let’s find out what peculiarities the classic style in skiathlon racing has. In the sport of skiing, it refers to the movement of athletes on a pre-prepared track. In this style of walking on skis hands are the main “driving force”, as the cross-country ski cannot be stressed – it is convenient only for sliding. The athlete’s skis when running are directed forward, and the legs are involuntarily more passive than the hands.

The classic style is divided into different ways of walking, depending on how the skier pushes the poles and how many steps he takes in one cycle. It combines alternate or simultaneous pushing with double-stepping and single-stepping depending on the type and terrain.

There is another style included in skiathlon, and it is called “free style”. The free style implies that the skier chooses any method of movement that is convenient for him. In this case, skiing involves both hands and feet.

Racing

Pursuit races in all sports have similar general rules. These include, first of all, that such races are held in several stages and in most cases there is a break between them. More often they are held in two days, less often the interval is a few hours. Athletes in each subsequent stage take the start position depending on the previously shown results, that is, the strongest starts first.

Skiathlon competitions are held without interruption, including the time needed to change skis. In all pursuit races, equal results of two athletes at the finish are not allowed. If it is not possible to determine which of the participants came first, it is done with the help of a photo finish.

History

Despite its modern name, skiathlon is not a new sport. The pursuit ski race, which had already existed since 1924, was given a modern format in 2003, being called the paciut. In June 2011, it was renamed by the decision of the FIS Council in Ljubljana, to make it easier to distinguish these competitions from handicap races, also related to pursuit. Skiathlon is included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games, as well as in the Scandinavian FIS World Ski Championships.

All in all, this sport has great potential and is very popular all over the world.