At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, cross-country skiing will consist of 12 events as outlined in the following table:

NOTE: The techniques used for the team sprint, individual interval start, individual sprint and mass start events alternate between Olympic Games and World Ski Championships.

Starting one-by-one, the competitors are measured against the clock in the individual interval start event; the skier with the fastest (lowest) time around the total length of the course wins. The qualification round of the individual sprint event is also organized in this manner. In all the other events, the winner is the skier or team that crosses the finish line first (with the toe of the boot).

As mentioned above, there are two techniques in cross-country skiing: classic and free technique (also known as skate). The classic technique is the traditional method of skiing: the skis follow parallel tracks groomed into the snow. The tracks set in the snow usually take the best lines along the wide trail (similar to the ideal line of a race car when racing). There are several rules for what the skier is allowed to do in a classic technique race. In contrast, the free technique has fewer restrictions: a skier can ski in the classic style (only a few skiers in the Paralympic Games do this) or ski in a style similar to ice skating, edging and pushing off on one ski at a time. The technique in a specific race alternates between Olympic Games and World Ski championships. For example, the technique in the 2010 Olympic Games mass start race will be in classic technique, since in the 2009 World Championships will use free technique.

The cross-country skiing competition courses must be homologated (certified) by the International Ski Federation (FIS) during design and after construction. The homologation requirements are complex and contain elements that involve three categories of hills and their gradient, length and placement along the courses. The most important requirement is the total vertical gain along the courses, which is a good indication of the physical demand put on the skiers. For example, the course for the 50-kilometre race requires a total vertical gain between 1,800 metres and 2, 000 metres (more than 6,000 feet). The course is 6 to 10 metres wide and is groomed with large snowcats (the same equipment used for alpine slopes), packing a smooth and firm surface for the free technique competitions. Smaller snowmobiles with a track-setter attached set parallel grooves for the classic technique races.

The maximum altitude allowed for Olympic cross-country skiing competitions is 1,800m (5,905 feet), which means that no part of the course can exceed this elevation. Since the lesser amount of oxygen at higher elevations affects the athletes’ performance, temptation to use performance-enhancing drugs and blood doping is prevalent. By setting this rule, the International Ski Federation is trying to limit the use of these unfair and dangerous practices. The elevation at Whistler Olympic Park is between 830 and 930 metres.

At present, Olympic cross-country skiing courses have the following requirements:

Pursuit

Pursuit is an exciting mass start race where the skiers ski the first half of the race in classic technique and equipment, then switch to free technique and equipment (in the stadium) before completing the competition. The clock is running during the equipment exchange, similar to a pit stop in car racing. The first skier to cross the finish line wins. Skiers are required to change skis at the halfway point, and also usually change poles.

In the pursuit, men race 15 kilometres (in loops of 3.75 kilometres) in each technique, totaling 30 kilometres. Women race 7.5 kilometres (in loops of 2.5 kilometres) in each technique for a total distance of 15 kilometres. The competition course is usually laid out such that the skiers pass through the stadium several times.

Team Sprint

Team sprint consists of teams of two skiing one at a time, tagging their teammate after completion of their 1.5 kilometre leg. The two skiers alternate skiing one lap each, for a total of 6 laps (3 laps per skier). Ten teams qualify for the finals through qualification heats, and start in a modified (arrow shape format) mass start on the first leg. In this race, there are often rapid lead changes and high speeds.

Individual Interval Start

Individual interval start is the traditional race format where the skiers ski against the clock. The skiers start the race in 30-second intervals in reverse order of their season ranking, which means that the highest ranked skier will start last. The race’s winner is the skier with the fastest time. Coaches along the course time their racers, calling out their rank at that specific point of the race. Racers who are overtaken by faster competitors must step aside, if needed, to allow the faster skier to pass.

In the Olympic individual interval start, the men race a distance of 15 kilometres, while the women race a distance of 10 kilometres.

Relay

In the relay, teams of four athletes sequentially take turns racing a course, and then tag their teammate in an exchange zone after completion of their leg of the relay race. The first two skiers on each team must use the classic technique, while the last two must use the free technique (usually skiing a different course). The team that reaches the finish line first after all four legs of the race wins.

In relay, men race four legs of 10 kilometres each (a total distance of 40 kilometres); women race four legs of 5 kilometres each (a total distance of 20 kilometres).

Individual Sprint

Sprint, after a qualifying round in individual interval start format, consists of 30 skiers competing in elimination heats. In the elimination heats (quarterfinals and semifinals), skiers start side-by-side and race one time around a 1.2 to 1.5 km loop. The two fastest skiers in each heat advance to the next round. The final round of four skiers will compete for the Olympic medals.

Individual Mass Start

The long-distance mass start events line the whole field of skiers in rows of 7 to 11, starting a field of 60 to 80 skiers by a start gun. This particular format can be compared to bicycle racing where large groups of athletes use strategy and technique to gain advantage during the course of the race, and during the often-exciting sprint for the finish.

Individual mass start races are the longest individual cross-country skiing races at the Olympic Winter Games. In the individual mass start races, men ski 50 kilometres, while women ski 30 kilometres.