In 1767 Danish-Norwegian general, Carl Schack Rantzau, codified four classes of military skiing contests and established prizes. That is the origin of cross-country skiing competition.
Notable cross-country skiing competitions include the Winter Olympics, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, the FIS World Cup events in which national teams compete and cross-country skiing marathon in which non-national teams compete.
The first Winter Olympics was held in 1924, included cross-country skiing among the five principal disciplines. Cross-country skiing is a discipline of the most medals and the most number of participants in the Winter Olympics. 12 cross-country skiing gold accounted for 98 gold of 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Biathlon and Nordic combined are also based on cross-country skiing. (Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Nordic combined combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping. )
12 minor term of cross-country skiing in 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics:
1.Men Skiathlon (15 km Classic Technique +15 km Free Technique)
2.Women Skiathlon (7.5 km Classic Technique +7.5 km Free Technique)
3.Men Individual Sprint (Free Technique）
4.Women Individual Sprint (Free Technique）
5.Men 15km (Classic Technique）
6.Women 15km (Classic Technique）
7.Men 4 × 10km Relay (2 Classic Technique + 2 Free Technique)
8.Women 4 × 5km Relay (2 Classic Technique + 2 Free Technique)
9.Men Team Sprint (Classic Technique）
10.Women Team Sprint (Classic Technique）
11.Men 50km Mass Start (Free Technique）
12.Women 30km Mass Start (Free Technique）
The distance of cross-country skiing marathon is more than 40 kilometers.
Worldloppet series in which individuals compete and ski classics in which professional club teams compete are two most important events.
Worldloppet Ski Federation is composed of the largest long distance cross-country skiing event from each of 20 countries. Its aim is to promote cross-country skiing through exchange around the world.
Ski Classics is a competitive top-level，professional long-distance cross-country skiing tour. One of its feature is to make events accessible to television and online audiences.
More information about Ski Classics
Ski Classics video – Vasaloppet China new event
Vasaloppet China is a member of Worldloppet, the heritage of Vasaloppet in Sweden, with Ski Classics coming in 2017, is a world-class cross-country skiing marathon event.
