All cross-country skiing events will take place at Snow Farm along the Nordic ski trails. It is one of the most difficult endurance sports using every major muscle group and requiring exceptionally high aerobic fitness. During Winter Games NZ, adaptive athletes will compete on the same course on the same day as able-bodied athletes for the first time in a major event.
Freestyle or skate skiing involves the competitors pushing their skis out on an angle, like an ice skater or roller blader. It is usually faster than classic cross-country skiing and skis are shorter and stiffer. Competitors start in intervals of up to 30 seconds. The athlete with the fastest individual time wins. Able body & Adaptive
The sprint begins with individual time trials on the sprint course with a 30-second interval start. The fastest 16 athletes move on to elimination heats until the final round with four athletes remaining is reached. A new course for 2011 means that the full course is visible for spectators up at the Snow Farm base building.
Men -15km Women - 10km
Mass start
Spectacular racing with all competitors starting together in a mass start. Classic cross-country skiing involves using long, narrow and light skis that fit into parallel grooves cut into the snow. First across the finish line wins.
