Nordic skiing encompasses three sports featured in the Winter Olympics: cross country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined.
In cross country skiing, skiers go on trails of different lengths and levels of difficulty. It includes the following events:
- Sprint (1 kilometer)
- Team Sprint (2x1 kilometer)
- Individual Start (10 kilometers for women, 15 kilometers for men)
- Pursuit (15 kilometers for women, 30 kilometers for men)
- Mass Start (30 kilometers for women, 50 kilometers for men)
- Relay (4x5 kilometers for women, 4x10 kilometers for men)
In ski jumping, skiers go down a high approach jump and take off from a ramp at the bottom. The object is to cover as much distance as possible in taking off from the ramp. There are three kinds of approach jumps:
- Normal Hill (Also Known As K90). The height of this jump is 90 meters. Distances of up to 110 meters have been reached here.
- Large Hill (Also Known As K120). The height of this jump is 120 meters. Distances of up to 140 meters have been reached here.
- Ski Flying Hill. The height of this jump is at least 185 meters. Distances of up to 240 meters have been reached here. It is often called the Formula One of ski jumping.
Ski jumping is scored by adding the distance of the jump to the middle three of five style scores given by five referees (the highest score and the lowest score are dropped). Points for style are awarded based on how well the skiers maintain their balance, their body position, and the steadiness of their skis during flight, as well as on the quality of their landing.
In the Nordic combined event, skiers compete in both cross country skiing and ski jumping. It includes four events:
- Individual Event, Or Individual Gundersen. It includes two jumps on the normal hill and 15 kilometers of cross country skiing.
- Sprint Event. It includes one jump from the large hill and 7.5 kilometers of cross country skiing.
- Mass Start Event. The cross country event is held first, and points are subtracted for every minute behind the winner. In the ski jumping event, points are subtracted for falling or for landing improperly.
- Team Event. The events are the same as in the individual event, but teams of four skiers participate.
The popularity of Nordic skiing continues to grow today. The participation of women in ski jumping has been expanded by the Federation Internationale de Ski, increasing the following of this sport.
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