Winter Olympics 2010 Guide: Cross-country

Skiing & Ski jumping / Editor / 08 February 2010 / Leave a comment

Petter Northug of Norway is hot favourite to win the men's cross-country

Stamina is key in Cross-country skiing - perhaps the most physically demanding event of the games.

"Borat might have something to cheer about this year. Kazakhstan have a better medal tally in this event than the likes of France, USA, the Czech Republc and Poland."

What is it?
This is perhaps the most gruelling event of the Winter Olympics. If the downhill is about speed then the cross-country is about stamina. There are two techniques used. The first has a piston-pumping style where racers run in each other's tramlines. The second uses the 'push off' technique similar to the speed skaters. Individually, men compete over 15km and women over 10km. All racers set off at 30 second intervals so, in reality, they are all racing against the clock. There is also a sprint event run over a kilometre of so.

Cross-country was given a huge boost in Salt Lake City in 2002 when the mass start was introduced. Here, competitors begin in an arrow formation with the most highly rated at the point. With the gun goes, all hell breaks loose. There are also pursuit and relays events too.

History
At Chamonix in 1924, this event was run over 18km and a withering 50km. The sport is based upon military training. By the year 1500, the Swedish army were skiing this way while their neighbours in Norway were having competitions by the middle of the 18th century.

Who to watch
Justyna Kowalczyk took bronze in the 30km event in Torino but won gold in 2009 World Championships. Petra Majdic of Slovenia and Finland's Aino-Kalsa Saarenen will push her. I'd also love Yevgeniya Medvedeva-Arbuzova, bronze medallist in the 15km pursuit in Torino, to take gold. But that is just to hear the tannoy man announce her name.

Fact!
Borat might have something to cheer about this year. Kazakhstan have a better medal tally in this event than the likes of France, USA, the Czech Republc and Poland.

Best Bet
Petter Northug of Norway is as hot a favourite as you will find after World Championship wins in the 50km, 4 x 10 km and 15km pursuit in 2009. He is safe punt.

Tags: Cross-country skiing betting, Vancouver 2010 betting, Winter Olympics betting