Which sport is the most exciting and beautiful? It’s hard to judge, but skiing is one of the sports with such characteristics. Competitions on it include cross-country skiing and ski jumping.
The history of skiing. What is unusual to tell about her?
The history of the development of ski biathlon is just as interesting and beautiful as this sport is interesting and beautiful. Like many other types of skiing , he can consider Scandinavia his homeland. Since the middle of the year before last, winter events of various kinds began to be organized in the Scandinavian countries. Their program necessarily included competitions in various types of skiing. The year of birth of the ski biathlon can be considered 1892. It was then that a winter festival was held in Holmenkollen (this is such a small city in Norway). During it, for the first time, competitions were held in this beautiful and complex sport. At the beginning of the 20th century, this festival turned into a tournament of international scale. In 1922, the Norwegian king even took part in it.
This festival is held in the Norwegian city today. Interestingly, those athletes who managed to achieve high results in ski biathlon were considered true skiing professionals in Norway. It is for this reason that it is not surprising that with such a strong popularity of this sport, it was included in the program of the first Winter Olympic Games. They occurred in 1924 in France. Since then, the sport has never been excluded from the program of the main start of the four-year period, only some changes were made to its rules.
What is the essence of these rules?
Nordic events usually last for two days. During the first day, athletes jump from a springboard 90 meters high, on the second day they compete in a ski race and run 15 km. The latter is done in a free style.
Springboards did not always have that height. Previously, they were much lower. For example, from 1924 to 1952 it was only 60 meters. However, for different types of ski biathlon, both the height of the springboard and the length of the distance are different.
What types of ski biathlon is divided into?
- Individual competitions.
- Team competition.
- Sprint.
In the first case, the participant twice jumps from a springboard 90 meters high and runs in the race for 15 km.
In the second - each of the four team members makes two ski jumps with a height of 90 meters. According to the results of the first day, they are awarded points. The number of points determines the serial number of the participant in the race. This race is a 4 km relay. The team whose participant will be able to get to the finish line first wins.
In the third case, the double-jumpers jump from a springboard 120 meters high, and then they ski for a distance of 7.5 km.
Of course, these data are for adult athletes. For children, the height of the springboard and the length of the race are less.
Many participants in competitions in all sports bring souvenirs from every start. Ski biathlon was not far behind in this regard. The badge dedicated to this sport was released, in particular, among the souvenirs of the Olympic Games in Sochi.
Was the history of skiing in our country as beautiful as the history of skiing biathlon?
When did professional skiing begin to develop in Russia? Since the middle of the 19th century. Predictably, sports clubs for skiing fans appeared in St. Petersburg and Moscow. In 1894, the first circle of skiers was opened. The initiative came from seven fans of skiing and 13 members of the capital's cycling club.
The club officially opened in 1895. This date can rightfully be considered the year of birth of skiing in our country. In other cities of Russia there were no ski clubs, but many citizens went skiing for their own pleasure.
If we go back to skiing, the first competitions in this sport in our country were held in 1912 in St. Petersburg.
Only men's sport at the Olympics
Few people will argue that ski biathlon is a rather difficult physical sport. Perhaps for this reason, Olympic competitions in it are held only among men. Nevertheless, there are proposals that the main start program of the four-year period include competitions in this sport and in the women's category. For example, Sarah Hendrickson, the world champion in ski jumping, after the Olympic finals in this sport (she was only 21 there), expressed the hope that women's ski biathlon will be included in the Olympic program one day.
What equipment do you need in order to do ski biathlon?
For skiing:
- special shoes, the back of which fits snugly on the ankle and minimizes pressure on it while running;
- narrow skis. They should be lighter than for skiing;
- mounts to fix the legs on skis;
- long and straight ski poles. In length, they can be up to the neck of the athlete.
- the suit must be made of stretch fabric designed specifically for skiing;
- grease for skis. Her choice depends on the weather and on the conditions of the route.
For ski jumping:
- flexible boots. They must have a high rise. This is necessary so that the skier has the opportunity to lean forward strongly during the jump;
- strong fastenings. They are designed to prevent skis from swinging during the jump.