Cross-country skiing
The type of the course, with some incredibly tough climbs, encourages an identification of the discipline with its origins in the Scandinavian territories, as a means of transport across the snowbound scenery. There are two skiing techniques:
the classic technique
the freestyle technique.
The classic technique, as the name suggests, is the traditional one: the skis are kept parallel and never leave or deviate from the two tracks marked on the course.
The freestyle technique allows the skier to choose the moves and the type of pace.
Since the majority of skiers choose a style similar to skating, pushing the skis from both legs, the skating technique has become synonymous with freestyle technique.
The origins of this type of skiing can be found in long distance competitions (Pauli Sittonen) and the first to use it in the World Cup was the American Bill Knock.
|