2. Cross Country Skiing Cross Country skiing is one of the five Paralympic sports and one of the Nordic skiing events Used as a form of survival in cold climates for about 6,000 years Introduced as a sport by armies holding friendly competitions in the late 1700’s
3. Cross Country Skiing Continued Cross country skiing was introduced into the Olympics in 1924 at Chamonix, France for men only Women’s cross country skiing were brought into the Olympics in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway
4. Paralympic Cross Country Skiing Was included in the first Winter Paralympic games in Ornskoldvik, Sweden in 1976 Athletes can compete in standing, sitting, and visually impaired classes Can compete in free technique or classical in relay events or individual events over short, medium, or long distances from 2.5 km to 20 km Skiers have interval starts with a skier starting every 30 seconds
5. Paralympic Cross Country Skiing Continued A Nordic Time Percentage system is used to calculate athlete’s time depending on disability
6. Classical Skiers ski through tracks in the snow made by snow machines Was originally the only way to ski before 1992 Sit skiers can’t change their technique
7. Free Technique Athletes ski in a similar technique to speed skating Push off with the edge of their skis Faster than classical by about 8% Uses shorter skis Was introduced for the Paralympics in 1992 at Albertville
8. Relay Events Teams of skiers race one leg of the course Made up of skiers from different categories Total time percentage stays the same for the team No time calculation required; fastest team wins
9. Categories Standing Use the same equipment as able bodied skiers but with a walking disability Sitting Have no use of legs Use chair on skis (called a sit-ski) Blind/Visually Impaired Use same equipment as able bodied skiers Ski with a guide
10. Vancouver 2010 Events Men’s 1 x 4 + 2 x 5 km relay Men’s sprint Men’s 10 km Men’s 15 km Men’s 20 km Women’s 3 x 2.5 km relay Women’s sprint Women’s 5 km Women’s 10 km
11. Vancouver 2010 Events Continued Women’s 15 km All Paralympic cross country events will be held at the Whistler Paralympic Park ski hill on Whistle mountain on March 14th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 21st
13. Picture Bibliography Welcome to Vancouver by iwona_kelly on Flickr Sit-ski in action by pablofausto on Flickr Skier by pablofausto on Flickr Canadian skier by BC Living Games on Flickr
