Besides the traditional start technique, with a thirty
second time difference between one athlete and the next, other methods have been adopted
in the last few years: Mass Start and Pursuit.>.
MASS START
The athletes all line up at the start line. They are divided according to merit:
those with the highest scores go in the first
row, so as to avoid the overtaking problems and falls which occur in the initial stages.
The aim of this technique is to make the competition more exciting, because the athletes,
technical staff and spectators can immediately realize how the competition will develop, without
having to consider the chronometer results.
The first to cross the finish line is the winner.
PURSUIT
It is common opinion that this will be the
most spectacular event of the Nordic Ski World Championships Fiemme 2003.
Two races are
in the programme:
• Women 5 + 5 km C/F on 22.02.2003
• Men 10 + 10 km C/F on 23.02.2003
Three are the topic moments
of the race:
1
– Start and first laps
Mass Start/Handicap start system (arrow) Classic Style
2 – Pits
In the centre of the stadium there is an exchange area with a pit for
each competitor. Within the assigned pit athletes change their equipment
that must be left in the pit. This box-stop will last about 30 seconds,
but surely the technical sponsor are studding to shorten this time.
3 –
Last laps in Free Technique
Now the race goes on in free technique until the finish.
To increase the thrilling of the race, the Organising
Committee has decided, with the consent of FIS, to divide the female race
in 2 laps of 2,5 km each to be run in classic style and 2 laps of 2,5
km each to be run in free technique. Same thing for the men race with
the length of the laps of 3,3 km each.
This means that competitors will pass in the
stadium of Lago di Tesero several times (4 x women and 6 x men) so that
spectators can enjoy the race completely, fully aware of its development.
Sport
:
Cross Country
:
General Info
