A Little Background Information
Cross country skiing is organized into two techniques: classical, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine-groomed tracks in the snow, and free style where skiers push off with the edge of their skis, similar to speed skating. The classic technique is the original method of skiing. Free style is more modern; it was pioneered by U.S. Ski Team member Bill Koch in the early '80s, and is almost 10% faster than classic.
Each JO team is allowed to enter up to 21 young men and 21 young women across the three age classes (OJ, J1 and J2 - see table below). Additional athletes, who have qualified to compete in international competition with the U.S. Ski Team, or who have qualified highly in the NCAA Championship qualification process, can be entered by their teams outside of the normal quota. The Nordic Heritage Center is expecting upwards of 500 atheletes to compete in the 2010 XC Junior Olympics.
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