Cross-country skiing is about gliding across a snow-covered field on skis in the shortest possible time frame. The course is composed of three equal segments of uphill, level, and downhill fields and athletes must employ classic or skate skiing techniques. The event is not limited to the ski slope like alpine skiing but can be enjoyed wherever the field is covered with snow, allowing participants to appreciate the natural beauty of the track. It has the further advantage that it is liable to less injury risk compared to other skiing events. The Winter Olympic Games presents a total of 12 events divided equally into six each for men and women.
Type of Competition
Individual
In this event, individual athletes start out separately by 15 to 30 seconds intervals.
Skate skiing technique is employed as women run 10km and men run 15km in classic or skate skiing technique.
Skiathlon
All athletes start together, with women running 15km and men running 30km.
They cover the first half of the course in the classic technique and the second half in the skate skiing technique.
Sprint
In this short-distance competition, women run 0.8 to 1.6km and men run 1 to 1.8km in the classic or the skate skiing technique.
Team Sprint
It is a short-distance relay competition in which two athletes alternate through 3 to 6 sectors, with women covering 0.8 to 1.6km and men covering 1 to 1.8km.
Mass Start
All athletes start together.
Women run 30km and men run 50km in classic or skate skiing technique.
Relay
Each team includes four athletes, and the first and second runners go in the classic technique while the third and fourth runners go in the skate skiing technique.
Regarding the women’s team, each athlete runs 5km, with the total distance being 20km.
Regarding the men’s team, each athlete runs 10km, with the total distance being 40km.
Reference: https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/olympicstory/sports/snow/cross-country-skiing/view