Beijing 2022 Preview: Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-Country Skiing appeared at the inaugural Olympic Winter Games in 1924 and women's events were introduced in 1952.

Overview

Bruce Haslingden and Cedric Sloan were Australia's first cross-country representatives at an Olympic Winter Games. They participated in the 18km and 50km events at the 1952 Games in Oslo.

The most important change to the cross-country skiing format came at the 1988 Games in Calgary, when new freestyle technique events were introduced to complement the classic technique. This enabled skiers to use a style similar to skating (pushing the skis from both legs) in addition to the classic form where skis stay parallel and do not deviate from the grooved tracks marked out in the snow.

There are six Australian cross-country skiers set to compete at Beijing 2022:

Phill Bellingham (3rd Games)

Jess Yeaton (2nd Games)

Casey Wright (2nd Games)

Seve de Campo (Olympic debut)

Hugo Hinckfuss (Olympic debut)

Lars Young Vik (Olympic debut)

The competition starts on Saturday 5 February, the day after the Opening Ceremony, and continues right through to Sunday 20 February.

What's the story?

• Phil Bellingham has been selected for his third Olympics in Cross-Country Skiing, equalling the most by an Australian Cross-Country skier with Anthony Evans (1992-1998) and Esther Bottomley (2006-2014).
• Jess Yeaton achieved Australia's best ever Olympic team sprint result at PyeongChang 2018, 12th place, and will compete in the event again at her second Games.
• Casey Wright, Seve de Campo, Jess and Phil will compete in all in five cross-country events, more than anyone else on the Australian Team.

See the full Cross Country Skiing preview on olympics.com.au

Check out the competition format HERE

Find out more about the Snow Australia athletes competing at Beijing 2022 HERE