Cross Country Skiing is one of two Nordic Skiing events at the Winter Paralympics, along with Biathlon. Athletes compete against peers with similar disabilities in one of three classifications: standing, sitting, and visually impaired.
Visually impaired skiers may be totally blind, or have reduced visual acuity or visual field. They use the same equipment as skiers without disabilities, but ski with a guide who provides verbal cues for following the course.
A Nordic Percentage System is used to calculate each athlete's handicap, and that is factored in with the race time to determine the winner.
According to the description that appeared on the site of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics, "Racers use two basic techniques in cross-country: classical, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine-groomed tracks in the snow, and free technique where skiers propel themselves in a manner similar to speed skating, pushing off with the edge of their skis. ... Paralympic cross-country skiers compete in men’s and women’s individual events over short, middle and long distances ranging from 2.5 kilometres to 20 kilometres."
You can read more about Paralympic Nordic Skiing on the site of the International Paralympic Committee.
For more about Paralympic Nordic Skiing events, visit:
Visually impaired skiers may be totally blind, or have reduced visual acuity or visual field. They use the same equipment as skiers without disabilities, but ski with a guide who provides verbal cues for following the course.
A Nordic Percentage System is used to calculate each athlete's handicap, and that is factored in with the race time to determine the winner.
According to the description that appeared on the site of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics, "Racers use two basic techniques in cross-country: classical, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine-groomed tracks in the snow, and free technique where skiers propel themselves in a manner similar to speed skating, pushing off with the edge of their skis. ... Paralympic cross-country skiers compete in men’s and women’s individual events over short, middle and long distances ranging from 2.5 kilometres to 20 kilometres."
You can read more about Paralympic Nordic Skiing on the site of the International Paralympic Committee.
For more about Paralympic Nordic Skiing events, visit:
SHARE
