Events Included • Combined Pursuit (10K classic/15K free) • Combined Pursuit (5K classic/10k free • 5K classic • 10K classic • 15K classic • 15K freestyle • 20K freestyle • 30K classic • 30K freestyle • 50K classic • 50K freestyle • 4 x 5K relay • 4 x 10K relay • Individual combined • Team combined
Venue Snow Harp, Kamishiro, Hakuba Village Past Winners Combined pursuit( 10K classic/5K free) | Combined pursuit( 5K classic/10K free) | 5K | 10K | 15K | 15K Free | 20K Free | 30K | 30K Free | 50K | 50K Free | 4 x 5K Relay | 4 x 10K Relay | Individual combined | Team combined Event Basics Cross-country was immensely popular at the Lillehammer Games in 1994, largely because cross-country skiing is so ingrained in the culture of Norway. It is still expected to draw good crowds in Nagano, though no one expects them to be Lillehammer-sized. There are two forms of cross-country skiing: Classic, where athletes take strides directly forward and do not deviate from a distinct track; and freestyle, where athletes can choose any style. Most freestylers pick a style that resembles skating, pushing off with both legs. Ten events, five each for men and women, are scheduled for the Games. All but the pursuit and the relay are run against the clock, not other competitors. Racers generally start at 30-second intervals in individual races, while in relays everyone starts together. Coaches stationed around the course time their racers, yelling out encouragement, strategies, position and times. The pursuit is really two races. Results from the first, shorter race determine the starting order for the second race. The skiers come back the next day and start the second race in the order they finish the first -- with the corresponding difference in time. Essentially, the second race is everyone trying to catch the leader. The second day of the pursuit is especially hard on the leader. The first one on the course often has the disadvantage of plowing through newer and sometimes softer snow. The pursuers can follow in the beaten-down tracks of the leader, making up lost time.
Who to watch Bjorn Daehlie, Norway, gold in 10K classic, 15K pursuit at Lillehammer Games Vladimir Smirnov, Kazakhstan, gold at 50K classic at Lillehammer Games Manuela Di Centa, Italy, medaled in every event at Lillehammer Yelena Vaelbe, Russia, five golds in five races at '97 Worlds	Schedule Feb. 8 Women's 15K classic 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb. 7) Feb. 9 Men's 30K classic 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb. 8) Feb. 10 Women's 5K classic 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb. 9) Feb. 12 Men's 10K classic 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb.11) Women's pursuit (10K freestyle) 12:00 p.m. JT (10:00 p.m. ET Feb.11) Feb. 14 Men's pursuit (15K freestyle) 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb.13) Feb. 16 Women's 4x5K relay 10:15 a.m. JT (8:15 p.m. ET Feb.15) Feb. 18 Men's 4x10K relay 10:15 a.m. JT (8:15 p.m. ET Feb.17) Feb. 20 Women's 30K freestyle 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb.19) Feb. 22 Men's 50K freestyle 9:00 a.m. JT (7:00 p.m. ET Feb.21)