Para Nordic Skiing
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GB Snowsport
Read more about Para Nordic SkiingIntroduction
Para Nordic skiing consists of two disciplines, cross-country skiing and biathlon.
Until 2018, Great Britain had not had representation in the sport at this level since the 1998 Paralympic Games in Nagano.
Sport Details
The Rules
Both para Nordic skiing disciplines have medal events for men and women. Cross country skiers can compete in individual or team, classical or freestyle events ranging from 2.5km to 20km in distance. Visually impaired skiers compete with a guide, while athletes with a physical impairment compete using either a sit-ski or standing using one or two skis and/or poles.
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and target shooting. Athletes compete in one of three categories: sitting, standing and visually-impaired. Athletes ski three 2.5km legs (7.5km in total) and fire at five targets (located 10m from the shooter) between each leg using air guns that are mounted on stands.
Eligible Impairments: ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia, impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length difference, vision impairment.
Description: para nordic skiing is for athletes with physical impairment of the upper and/or lower limbs, and vision impairment. Athletes with all eligible physical impairment types compete against each other and may compete either standing or sitting dependent on the type and severity of their impairment. There are 15 Sport Classes, 12 for athletes with physical impairment and three for vision impairment.
Sport Class structure:
- LW2-4: for athletes with physical impairment of the lower limbs who compete standing.
- LW5-8: for athletes with physical impairment of the upper limbs who compete standing.
- LW9: for athletes with physical impairment of the upper and lower limbs who compete standing.
- LW10-12: for athletes with physical impairment of the lower limbs who compete sitting.
- NS1-3: for athletes with vision impairment. Athletes in NS1 have the greatest level of impairment and NS3 the lowest level of impairment.
More About
GB Snowsport
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