: Zoom/Allsport |
RULES
 With the exception of the 1.5-km sprint events, the cross-country races take place in a single-run format.
The 1.5-km sprint takes place over a series of rounds. The top 16 skiers from the qualification round advance to the final, which is a series of elimination races. The first round of the sprint final is the quarterfinals. The top skiers advance to the semifinals and finals. The winner of the finals receives the gold medal.
In the women and men's combined pursuit, competitors start the freestyle portion according to their finish in the classic portion. The athlete who crosses the finish line first wins.
The difference between the start and finish time determines the winner in the other races. Skiers break a timing lever with their leg to start the clock. To record the finishing time, the athlete breaks a light or photo barrier, placed 25 cm above the snow's surface.
Two competitors with the same time are considered tied. In the event of a photo finish, the competitor whose front foot crosses the finish line first wins.
Slower skiers must yield to any competitor about to overtake them. The faster skier yells "track" to notify them.
To conduct a relay hand-off, skiers must touch any part of teammate's body with their hand inside the exchange zone. A team that does not follow the guidelines must go back to the exchange zone, where a correct hand over must take place before the next competitor can start.
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