This was published 12 years ago
Sochi Winter Sports: Cross Country Skiing
Fast fact:
Cross-country skiing has been contested at every edition of the Olympic Winter Games, dating back to 1924, and Sochi 2014 will feature 12 events (six for men and six for women) ranging from a 1.5km sprint to the 50km (men) and 30km (women) mass start races.
Fast fact:
Two techniques – classic and freestyle – are used across the events, depending on the race format. In the traditional classic form, skis are kept parallel and never abandon or deviate from the two grooved tracks marked out in the snow, while the freestyle technique allows the skier to choose a style similar to skating, pushing the skis from both legs.
Venue:
The Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Centre takes its name from a turbulent mountain river with a large number of waterfalls, which has its source in the southern slopes of the Assar, within the boundaries of the Caucasian nature reserve.
One to watch:
Norway’s double Olympic gold medallist Peter Northug will be looking to follow up his overall 2013 World Cup title with more success in Sochi. The 28-year-old, who won 50km classical and team sprint titles in Vancouver, has already enjoyed success on the Sochi cross-country course, having won the sprint event there during last year’s World Cup event.
Olympic legend:
Norway's Bjørn Dæhlie, with 12 medals, has won more Winter Olympic medals than any other athlete. Dæhlie’s eight gold medals are also more than any other Winter Olympian.
Aussie hopeful:
Callum Watson (pictured) and his sister Aimee will become the first siblings to represent Australia in cross country skiing at the same Games.
Aussie hopeful:
Olympic veteran Esther Bottomley will compete in her third Winter Games in Sochi.View more galleries
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